Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40-game MVP run is perfect

After that Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Washington Wizards in a 136-95 All-Star victory Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned his place in the MVP conversation. During his post-game media availability, Gilgeous-Alexander addressed himself as an MVP candidate.

Edging out 2024 Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic, Gilgeus-Alexander is the leading favorite for the honor. However, he believes it’s still too early in the season to be crowned, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman.

“MVPs are never won after 40 games,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “40 more of these, and yes, of course.”

Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber production is a key reason why the Thunder lead the Western Conference during the 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 31.4 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, and SGA dominated on both ends of the floor.

He won two NBA Player of the Month awards this season and went on a 25+ point streak that extended to eight in Sunday’s win against the Wizards. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored over 25 points in 29 of his last 32 games. And without Chet Holmgren, he led the Thunder to a triumphant season, including a franchise record 15-game winning streak, including Oklahoma City winning 17 of their previous 18 games.

Still, Gilgeous-Alexander has long-term goals that remain elusive this early in the regular season. And when a reporter asked him if he considered himself an all-time great without a championship, Shai he admits he hasn’t entered that conversation yet, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman.

“For me, you have to win.” Until I do that, I don’t put myself in the stratosphere of those guys,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I can’t because I haven’t won on the biggest stage in the world.” I just haven’t done it yet, and until then I don’t think I should be in those conversations.”

He finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Thunder’s win against the Wizards.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals his take on the Thunder’s loss against the Cavs

After the Cavs had their 15-game winning streak snapped, Gilgeous-Alexander revealed the lessons the Thunder learned against the Cavs. Thunder All-Star he says the loss made them a better team.

“There are many games left. We have the opportunity to go in many series. The season did not end with that game. “We played in games where our season ended,” Gilgeus-Alexander said. “So it definitely wasn’t devastating.” We definitely have a lot of basketball to get better. At the end of the night, we got better that night and that’s the result for us.

The Thunder will wrap up their four-game road trip against the 76ers on Tuesday night.