Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: MVP Contender in 2024

OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the best players for this season so far, but can he bag the MVP award after missing out on the previous season? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been on a tear this season and is certainly picking up where he left off last 2023-24 after coming off with an impressive campaign, it seems that he is keen to replicate that or even do better with the hopes of leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the big stage – and hopefully win a championship. But can we expect him to become the MVP for this year as well?

Is SGA on an MVP Pace This Season?

At this point, it cannot be denied that SGA has been one of the top picks to win the MVP this season. Considering how well he has improved on the big stage, one can say that the star is definitely expected to continue making the most of his chances and finish it off with a bang now more than ever. OKC is on the rise, and SGA is leading the way when it matters most.

So far, he’s been the main catalyst for the team, and his winning strides has given them an edge over the past few months. Being named as the player of the month for games played in October and November, it is easy to say that he is a man on a mission at this point in time.

Shai Gilgeous Alexander image

It is worth noting that SGA is carrying the load alongside Jalen Williams – with Chet Holmgren out at least until January with an injury. When OKC is a complete team, Gilgeous-Alexander finds a way to come up with impressive strides, and this shows a lot about how OKC has become an elite team to watch under his lead. It has been years in the making, and his better growth with the team has resulted into him becoming a promising MVP candidate to watch.

By the Numbers: Can SGA Win the MVP?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in the MVP race last season, with Nikola Jokic bagging his third MVP instead. OKC was the first seed in the Western Conference that time with a 57-25 record – tied with the Denver Nuggets. That was a year that the Thunder came up with a surprising run to the top after not being in the top eight last run. So far, SGA is picking up where he left off in that campaign.

As of the time of writing, the Thunder still sits at the top of the Western Conference even after a massive power shift in which some of the contenders from the previous year have been replaced by new ones in the upper echelon of the Conference. So far, this says a lot about how the game has evolved into a massive level, and SGA’s leadership has somewhat managed to keep them afloat at this point in time, which says a lot about OKC’s consistency as a contender.

2024-25 NBA MVP Odds (Updated as of December 16, 2024)

Rank	Player, Team	Best Odds to Win
1	Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets	+175
2	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder	+300
3	Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics	+500
4	Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks	+650
5	Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks	+1000

Based on the latest odds for the MVP race, it does seem that SGA remains a second favorite to win the award, while Jokic still stands as a hot option and is favored to win his fourth MVP overall should he bag this season’s award as well. At this point, however, it is worth noting that SGA has been on a tear and has kept OKC afloat despite some shaky losses after Holmgren’s injury.

Let’s not forget the fact that Jokic has had encountered the same issues with the Nuggets, with Jamal Murray missing some key games in the season as well, and yet the team has fallen behind in the race to the top of the Western Conference so far. If there’s going to be an edge for Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP case, it would be his leadership for OKC and how he has kept them at the top of the highly-competitive Western Conference so far.

What Makes SGA a Promising Pick for the MVP?

After an incredible 2023-24 campaign that saw him take a significant leap, there's a real sense that the 25-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder star is poised to enter the MVP conversation in a big way. With his unique skill set, impressive stats, and the trajectory of his team, Shai has all the tools necessary to emerge as a serious contender for the NBA’s most prestigious individual award.

Here are a few reasons why SGA can be indeed a winning pick for the MVP award this time:

OKC is Making Big Strides Again

Shai's MVP candidacy isn't just about his individual brilliance — it's also about the growth of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have gone from a rebuilding team to a rising force in the Western Conference, and much of that is due to Shai's leadership. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Daigneault, the team is filled with young, talented players, including Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, it seems that OKC is on the rise once more.

The Thunder’s growth over the last couple of years bodes well for Shai’s MVP hopes. If OKC can take another step forward and finish near the top of the Western Conference standings, Shai’s MVP case will get stronger. With the team’s young talent continuing to develop, and with Shai firmly entrenched as the team’s leader, the Thunder could surprise many by finishing with a top-four seed, which would solidify Shai’s candidacy.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats image

Consistency is His Brand

Shai is one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA. His true shooting percentage (TS%) in 2023-24 was an elite 62.3%, which ranks him among the best in the league. His ability to score both efficiently and in a variety of ways gives him a legitimate chance to outshine other MVP candidates, especially those whose scoring efficiency is not as high.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Stats (updated as of December 16, 2024)

Points per Game	Rebounds per Game	Assists per Game	Field Goal %
30.2 PPG	5.3 RPG	6.3 APG	50.8%

While Shai is primarily known for his scoring, he’s also made strides as a playmaker. Averaging over 5 assists per game last season, Shai has developed into more than just a scoring threat — he’s become a primary facilitator for his team. With a young and dynamic supporting cast, he’s in an excellent position to rack up assists and continue to be the offensive engine for OKC.

Continued Surge as a Star

Another challenge is the fact that Shai, while exceptional, doesn’t yet have the established postseason resume that some of his MVP counterparts do. A deep playoff run in 2024-25 would undoubtedly elevate his candidacy, but without that extra postseason narrative, voters might lean towards other stars with a stronger track record in the playoffs.

However, it is worth noting that OKC is now making a strong presence in the game when it comes to his MVP case. The Thunder have been contenders for two seasons now, and there are definitely quite a lot of talks as to how he can actually be the next face of the NBA considering how his timely rise to stardom has been really been impressive as of late now more than ever.

Does SGA Deserve to Win the MVP?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a legitimate chance to win the MVP in the 2024-25 season. With his blend of scoring, playmaking, and defense, coupled with the rising success of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai is positioned to break into the league’s elite tier. If OKC can continue its ascent, and Shai continues to perform at a high level, he could very well find himself holding the MVP trophy at the end of the season.

If the Thunder can make a deep run in the playoffs and keep the top spot in the West, Shai’s MVP case would be incredibly strong. History shows that MVPs typically come from teams with a top-three record in their conference, and OKC could be on that trajectory with Shai at the helm.

Shai Gilgeous Alexander stats image

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