Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, becoming just the 14th player in league history to secure back-to-back MVP honors.
The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar dominated this year’s voting, earning 83 of the 100 available first-place votes. Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets finished second, while Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs came third in the final standings.
The award extends the remarkable streak of international dominance in the NBA, with non-American players now winning the MVP award for eight consecutive years.
Speaking during a celebration at the Thunder practice facility, where teammates arrived wearing matching Burberry trench coats gifted to him, the Canadian guard credited his teammates for helping him reach the milestone.
“Basketball’s obviously a team sport,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“All the numbers, all the accolades, everything that I do on the court, if we won 10 games, I wouldn’t be in this conversation. So, thank you guys so much. I love you guys.”
Jokić received 10 first-place votes, while Wembanyama earned five. Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers placed fourth, while Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons finished fifth.
Cunningham’s two first-place votes also marked the first time since 2021 that a U.S.-born player received first-place recognition in MVP voting.
Further down the rankings, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics finished sixth, while Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers shared seventh place.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s steady development and leadership growth.
“Who he is has never changed,” Daigneault said. “I think he’s touched up the edges on his game and on his leadership and on his perspective, just like anybody else that’s coming of age.”
Elijah Adeyemi
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