The Oklahoma City Thunder (49-21) proved to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference. The Thunder have far exceeded lofty expectations to start the season, thanks in large part to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leap.
A year ago, Gilgeous-Alexander won his first Nod All-Star and finished fifth in the Most Valuable Player race. Few thought he had another step to take, but this season the max contract guard has gotten even better.
Gilgeous-Alexander is posting 30.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 3.0 actions per game while shooting 54 percent from the floor, 36 percent from beyond the arc and 87 for hundred on the free throw line.
As the Thunder battle for the top seed in the Western Conference, Gilgeous-Alexander has a chance to win the Most Valuable Player award despite Jokic’s greatness. However, an NBA announcement on Monday could swing the race.
The Thunder’s game against the Boston Celtics next week will now be broadcast on national television. With Oklahoma City traveling to Boston looking for a two-game sweep in a two-game series, this game in front of a national audience could be the “MVP Moment” the Thunder star is looking for.
For Oklahoma City to secure the top spot in the Western Conference, it would have to face a tough schedule down the stretch. One that includes New Orleans, a red-hot team from Houston, Phoenix, New York, Indiana, Sacramento, Milwaukee and Dallas.
If Gilgeous-Alexander can put together monster performances in these games, including on national television, helping the Thunder shock the NBA world as the West’s number one seed, he’ll have a strong case to the MVP award.
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