In mid-February, the second of ESPN’s three NBA most valuable player straw polls showed Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a comfortable — if not ironclad — lead over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Six weeks later, the race is virtually unchanged. If the results from our final straw poll are accurate — for each of the past five seasons, they have been — Gilgeous-Alexander will claim his first MVP award. And in a poll that mirrors the league’s official voting and was conducted over a 24-hour period Sunday and Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander claimed 77 of 100 first-place votes.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Worth a listen/watch — SGA’s dad, Vaughn Alexander on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast. Some good insights on SGA’s path and observations from the Hibachi: youtube.com/watch?v=wIy2UR… – 10:02 AM
Worth a listen/watch — SGA’s dad, Vaughn Alexander on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast. Some good insights on SGA’s path and observations from the Hibachi: youtube.com/watch?v=wIy2UR… – 10:02 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
A look at the #AllNBA picture by games played…
1st: Jokic
Shai Giannis (needs 3 more G, 7 left) Tatum Mitchell
2nd/3rd mix: Cade Brunson (needs 4 more G, 6 left) Mobley Edwards LeBron (needs 1 more G)… – 3:11 AM
A look at the #AllNBA picture by games played…
1st: Jokic
Shai Giannis (needs 3 more G, 7 left) Tatum Mitchell 2nd/3rd mix: Cade
Brunson (needs 4 more G, 6 left) Mobley Edwards LeBron (needs 1 more G)… – 3:11 AM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked if he wanted to comment about his jawing with Dennis late this game “nah, it was nothing” he said with a big smile. – 12:36 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked if he wanted to comment about his jawing with Dennis late this game “nah, it was nothing” he said with a big smile. – 12:36 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA on Chet Holmgren: “He was really good..
Nothing that we haven’t seen before…
Size was a problem. Versatility was a problem.
Chet Holmgren game.” – 12:33 AM
SGA on Chet Holmgren: “He was really good..
Nothing that we haven’t seen before…
Size was a problem. Versatility was a problem.
Chet Holmgren game.” – 12:33 AM
Royce Young @royceyoung
Thunder beat the Pistons 119-103. OKC goes 29-1 against the East.
– SGA: 32-6-3
– Dub: 23-5-3
– Chet: 22-11-4 + 5 blocks + 2 steals
– Dort: 14 and 7 rebounds
– Cason: 13-5-4
11 straight wins for the Thunder – 12:07 AM
Thunder beat the Pistons 119-103. OKC goes 29-1 against the East.
– SGA: 32-6-3
– Dub: 23-5-3
– Chet: 22-11-4 + 5 blocks + 2 steals
– Dort: 14 and 7 rebounds
– Cason: 13-5-4
11 straight wins for the Thunder – 12:07 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder Big 3 tonight
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
33 PTS
6 REB
2 BLK
3 STL
1 TO
Jalen Williams
23 PTS
5 REB
3 AST
Chet Holmgren
22 PTS
11 REB
5 BLK
2 STL pic.x.com/UllvkVAqJn – 12:06 AM
Thunder Big 3 tonight
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
33 PTS
6 REB
2 BLK
3 STL
1 TO
Jalen Williams
23 PTS
5 REB
3 AST
Chet Holmgren
22 PTS
11 REB
5 BLK
2 STL pic.x.com/UllvkVAqJn – 12:06 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Shai vs DET:
33 PTS
6 REB
5 STOCK
+30
Only Dyson and Wemby have more games with 5+ stocks this season. pic.x.com/1UCjIDaRE2 – 12:06 AM
Shai vs DET:
33 PTS
6 REB
5 STOCK
+30
Only Dyson and Wemby have more games with 5+ stocks this season. pic.x.com/1UCjIDaRE2 – 12:06 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has his 48th 30 point game of the season.
30 point game leaders
1. SGA: 48
2. Giannis: 37
3. Jokic: 28
4. Tatum: 27
5. Booker/Edwards: 23 – 12:02 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has his 48th 30 point game of the season.
30 point game leaders
1. SGA: 48
2. Giannis: 37
3. Jokic: 28
4. Tatum: 27
5. Booker/Edwards: 23 – 12:02 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 69 straight games.
Most consecutive 20 point games in a season in NBA history:
1. Wilt Chamberlain: 80 games (2X)
2. Oscar Robertson: 76 games
3. SGA/Michael Jordan: 69 games – 11:15 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 69 straight games.
Most consecutive 20 point games in a season in NBA history:
1. Wilt Chamberlain: 80 games (2X)
2. Oscar Robertson: 76 games
3. SGA/Michael Jordan: 69 games – 11:15 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 69 straight games.
SGA ties Michael Jordan for 3rd most consecutive 20 point games in an NBA season. – 11:08 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 69 straight games.
SGA ties Michael Jordan for 3rd most consecutive 20 point games in an NBA season. – 11:08 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder up 65-59 at the half
SGA: 17 PTS/2 BLK/1 STL
Chet: 12 PTS/2 BLK/2 STL
JDub: 11 PTS/1 BLK
OKC winning despite shooting 3-14 3PT. – 10:51 PM
Thunder up 65-59 at the half
SGA: 17 PTS/2 BLK/1 STL
Chet: 12 PTS/2 BLK/2 STL
JDub: 11 PTS/1 BLK
OKC winning despite shooting 3-14 3PT. – 10:51 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
OKC up 41-27 after the opening frame, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points in the quarter. Pretty good. – 10:15 PM
OKC up 41-27 after the opening frame, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points in the quarter. Pretty good. – 10:15 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1st quarter
15 PTS
5-6 FG
2 REB
2 AST
2 BLK
1 STL – 10:15 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1st quarter
15 PTS
5-6 FG
2 REB
2 AST
2 BLK
1 STL – 10:15 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Thunder starters vs. Pistons
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Lu Dort
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren – 9:05 PM
Thunder starters vs. Pistons
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Lu Dort
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren – 9:05 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Congrats to Carmelo Anthony for his well deserved Hall of Fame selection.
Melo is the first in a long line of Hall of Famers who played in OKC.
Kevin Durant
Russell Westbrook
James Harden
Chris Paul
Paul George
Carmelo Anthony
Al Horford
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
..and maybe more pic.x.com/Rgx5Oz8LX3 – 5:11 PM
Congrats to Carmelo Anthony for his well deserved Hall of Fame selection.
Melo is the first in a long line of Hall of Famers who played in OKC.
Kevin Durant
Russell Westbrook
James Harden
Chris Paul
Paul George
Carmelo Anthony
Al Horford
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
..and maybe more pic.x.com/Rgx5Oz8LX3 – 5:11 PM
John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Latest Beyond the Arc pod w/ @sportsreiter
Things are getting good:
-Joker 60-pt triple dub…are we *sure* SGA is MVP?
-Steph 52-point heater
-Free-falling Grizz
-Wild West playoff race
🎧listen/subscribe
link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc
👀💻 YouTube
youtube.com/channel/UCdLr1… – 2:01 PM
Latest Beyond the Arc pod w/ @sportsreiter
Things are getting good:
-Joker 60-pt triple dub…are we *sure* SGA is MVP?
-Steph 52-point heater
-Free-falling Grizz
-Wild West playoff race
🎧listen/subscribe
link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc
👀💻 YouTube
youtube.com/channel/UCdLr1… – 2:01 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a finalist for the 2024-25 NBA Sportsmanship Award.
The annual honor recognizes the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.
NBA players will select the winner from these six finalists. pic.x.com/FZPdLpZYhp – 1:46 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a finalist for the 2024-25 NBA Sportsmanship Award.
The annual honor recognizes the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.
NBA players will select the winner from these six finalists. pic.x.com/FZPdLpZYhp – 1:46 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
When the Canadians fell to France, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted that he “might have overlooked the opportunity.”
He doesn’t want that feeling again.
A chat with the likely MVP, on his impressive mentality and the title chance ahead, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/62477… – 1:35 PM
When the Canadians fell to France, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted that he “might have overlooked the opportunity.”
He doesn’t want that feeling again.
A chat with the likely MVP, on his impressive mentality and the title chance ahead, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/62477… – 1:35 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
SGA MVP case:
— Best player on best team
— 1st guard with 32/5/5/1/1 since MJ
— 1st in points
— 2nd in steals
— 1st in plus/minus
— 1st in 30-point games
— 1st in 40-point games
— 1st in 50-point games
Only player to average 30+ PPG on 50/35/90% other than unanimous MVP Steph pic.x.com/wOq0Y1TN0C – 1:31 PM
SGA MVP case:
— Best player on best team
— 1st guard with 32/5/5/1/1 since MJ
— 1st in points
— 2nd in steals
— 1st in plus/minus
— 1st in 30-point games
— 1st in 40-point games
— 1st in 50-point games
Only player to average 30+ PPG on 50/35/90% other than unanimous MVP Steph pic.x.com/wOq0Y1TN0C – 1:31 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Leaders in the Clubhouse, Week 15:
MVP: SGA
DPOY: Draymond
ROY: Castle
MIP: Daniels
6MAN: Beasley
COACH: Bickerstaff
EXEC: Langdon
CLUTCH: Brunson
@PlayProphetX pic.x.com/TaAWd6TpQh – 12:01 PM
Leaders in the Clubhouse, Week 15:
MVP: SGA
DPOY: Draymond
ROY: Castle
MIP: Daniels
6MAN: Beasley
COACH: Bickerstaff
EXEC: Langdon
CLUTCH: Brunson
@PlayProphetX pic.x.com/TaAWd6TpQh – 12:01 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: Our final MVP straw poll of the season is here. So, with a week-and-a-half to go in the season, is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set to win his first, or will Nikola Jokic make history by becoming the third player ever to win four in five years? espn.com/nba/insider/st… – 9:35 AM
New ESPN story: Our final MVP straw poll of the season is here. So, with a week-and-a-half to go in the season, is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set to win his first, or will Nikola Jokic make history by becoming the third player ever to win four in five years? espn.com/nba/insider/st… – 9:35 AM
More on this storyline
Bennett Durando: Michael Malone confirmed all five usual starters are out tonight. Am told Peyton Watson is also expected to be out. -via x.com / April 2, 2025
Vinny Benedetto: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic and Peyton Watson are questionable for tonight’s game against San Antonio. Julian Strawther remains out. Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan are among the Spurs’ inactives. -via Twitter @VBenedetto / April 2, 2025
As one person close to Gilgeous-Alexander shared, he was (not surprisingly) disappointed last season when he took second in MVP voting behind the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić. Not only had he averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, five rebounds and two steals — marks previously reached by just five other players — but also he did it on the West’s top team. The advice that was given by the confidante at the time, while wise, was easier said than done: Just go do it again. Alas, he has been even better instead. -via New York Times / April 2, 2025