Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Top 5 MVP Moments of the 2024-25 Season
After posting one of the best years a guard has ever had on Wednesday, May 21, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the 2024-2025 NBA MVP. He is the first Thunder player to win the award since Russell Westbrook won it in 2016, with Kevin Durant in 2014, and three Thunder players have the league's most prestigious award. Also, Gilgeous-Alexander holds the distinction of being the first Kentucky Wildcat player to win the MVP. Following Steve Nash, he is the second Canadian to win the honor.
When the votes were tallied, “SGA” receive71 of 100 first-place votes, Nikola Jokić finished second and got the other 29 first-place votes. Coming in third was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished third, and 12 different players received at least one top-five vote.
During his acceptance speech on Wednesday, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his gratitude to his family.
Thank you so much,” he said as he looked at her from a podium. “Thank you for everything you are — for me, for our son, Ares. You were the first person to show me what love really meant ... what sacrifice really meant. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of this journey called life with you. Thank you very much. I wouldn’t be the man I am, I wouldn’t be the player I am, I wouldn’t be the father I am, without you. Thank you.”
“I can’t say enough how much you guys mean to me, and not only as a basketball player, but as family,” he said. "I know you guys know that we do everything together, on and off the court, we go shopping, we eat. You guys are really like my brothers ... Without you guys, none of this would be possible. I want you guys to know that this award is your award, too.”
With another convincing win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, SGA is looking to solidify himself as one of the best players of his generation.
Capturing his signature on aura on the court, here are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Top 5 MVP Moments of the 2024-25 Season.
SGA Scored A Career High 54 Points Against the Utah Jazz
In what has been described as his best game of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander lit up the Utah Jazz by scoring 54 points on January 22, 2025. Setting a new career-high for him, SGA surpassed his previous high of 45 points. Putting on an incredible shooting display, Gilgeous-Alexander made 17 of 35 field goals and 17 of 18 free throws in the game. If that was impressive enough, he added 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals as OKC cruised to a win.
He Scored 51 Points Against The Houston Rockets Less Than Two Months Later
If you doubted his scoring prowess, Gilgeous-Alexander went for another 50 ball as the Thunder defeated the Houston Rockets 137-128. SGA accomplished the feat just a month and a half after scoring 54 against the Jazz in January as his squad won its 50th game of the season. It was also the fifth time he scored at least 40 points in a game. He made 18 of 30 field goals, hit 5 3-pointers, and knocked down all 10 of his free throws.
Led The League In Scoring For The First Time
One thing Gilgeous-Alexander can do is put the ball in the hoop. During the 2024-2025 NBA season, he set the bar high by averaging 32.7 points per game to lead the league. He was always efficient; he shot 51.9% from the field and 89.8% from the free-throw line. He also led the league in games with at least 20 points (75), 30 points (49), 40 points (13), and 50 points (four). Even more impressive is a 72-game streak of 20+ points, which is the longest such streak in a single season since 1963-64, since Wilt Chamberlain accomplished the feat.
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Led The Thunder To Team-Record 68 Wins
SGA didn’t just post gaudy stats, but his slick, smooth play on the court transferred into winning basketball. His performance helped the Oklahoma City Thunder achieve a league-best 68-14 record. Under Chicago Bulls (1995-96): 72-10, the Los Angeles Lakers (1971-72): 69-13, the Chicago Bulls (1996-97): 69-13, the Boston Celtics (1972-73): 68-14, and the Philadelphia 76ers (1966-67): 68-13 as the only teams win 68 games in a season.
Named To His Third Consecutive All-Star Team
In his third All-Star game, SGA was named a starter in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year. In the All-Star Game’s first tournament format, SGA played for Chuck's Global Stars, leading them to victory over Kenny's Young Stars 41-32. He scored 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
