OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma — As NBA playoffs start, the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is heating up, featuring two top contenders: Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The award will likely be announced during the playoffs, right when both players are focused on leading their teams.
Jokic, who won the MVP award three times already, made headlines after posting numbers that left fans and analysts buzzing about the possibility of a fourth win. “I think I’m playing the best basketball of my life. So if that’s enough, it’s enough,” Jokic said following a tense match against Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder on March 10, where Nuggets secured a 140-127 win. He expressed knowing how competitive the race is, saying, “If not, [Gilgeous-Alexander] deserves it. He’s really amazing,” showing respect for his challenger.
In the current season, Jokic has averaged a triple-double while leading the NBA with 33 such performances, making him a historic figure in the realm of basketball. His stats are impressive too — with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals. Additionally, he ranks in the top 20 for three-point shooting at 41.7%, a unique combination that has never been recorded before in the league.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander has been equally remarkable. Leading the league in scoring with an average of 32.7 points per game, he has played a pivotal role in helping his young team secure 68 wins—the most in NBA history, surpassing the 1971-72 record. He also emphasizes winning over accolades, stating after a recent performance, “I love MVPs, I love All-Stars, I love all the accolades that come with it, but none of it matters if you don’t win.”
This season’s MVP race highlights a classic conflict of the best player on the best team (Gilgeous-Alexander) versus the player with the best statistics (Jokic). With both players delivering exceptional performances, the debate surrounding the MVP became increasingly intense during their back-to-back games in early March, where both showcased their skills extensively.
Despite the rivalry on the court, both players have exhibited nothing but respect toward each other. Jokic, acknowledging Gilgeous-Alexander’s prowess, remarked, “He’s a very different player… his shooting at the midrange is unguardable basically.” Gilgeous-Alexander’s role in steering the Thunder displayed his ability in crucial situations as well, handling the pressure with poise.
Teammates and coaches from both sides have rallied behind their respective stars, indicating that each player’s success—both individually and within the team context—is equally crucial during this playoff phase. Braun, a Nuggets swingman, argued, “I think that Nikola had maybe the greatest season ever… To see what Nikola did night in and night out, I don’t know that you’ll ever see that again.”
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, while respectful of Jokic, highlighted that the “MVP is not part of the series at all,” emphasizing that the focus for his players remains strictly on winning games in the playoffs. As the second round approaches, all eyes will be on how both stars perform while managing the added pressure of MVP debate.
The NBA playoffs will surge on with excitement and the potential of adding drama to an already exhilarating MVP race. Game 1 between the Nuggets and Thunder is set for Monday night and promises to be a battleground for not just team supremacy but also individual accolades. The MVP vote has already been cast, but the anticipation surrounding the announcement builds as the playoffs unfold.
