MVP Showdown: Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Jokić in 2024-25 Race

Denver, Colorado — As the 2024-25 NBA regular season draws to a close, the spotlight intensifies on the race for the Kia MVP Award, primarily between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. With just one week remaining in the season, both athletes are showcasing extraordinary performances, each vying for the coveted award that highlights the league’s best player.

This battle for supremacy raises crucial questions: Will history reflect on Jokić as the unfairly treated runner-up, or view Gilgeous-Alexander as the robbed candidate? The stakes have never been higher, with both players in the top five for scoring averages and pivotal to their respective teams’ success.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been lighting up the scoreboard for the Thunder, leading them to a remarkable 64-12 record and the best standing in the league. He leads the league in 50, 40, 30, and 20-point games, underscoring his offensive prowess. “He scores with solid efficiency,” said NBA analyst Shaun Powell, “and he’s one of the two best defenders on the league’s best defensive team.”

On the other hand, Jokić has been equally impressive, recently accomplishing a rare feat with a historic 61-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking only the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history. His unique ability to average a triple-double leaves many in awe, with Powell noting, “He has a tendency to stockpile monster games like we’ve never seen before.”

The significance of winning, however, plays a pivotal role in these discussions. While Jokić’s individual statistics are groundbreaking, Gilgeous-Alexander’s contributions have been critical to his team’s dominance, potentially influencing MVP voters’ decisions. “That two-way balance, coupled with OKC bearing down on 65-plus wins, comprises an MVP,” said Powell.

With both players having stunning seasons, their upcoming matchups will hold notable implications. Just this week, the Nuggets will face the Golden State Warriors, featuring another former MVP hopeful, Stephen Curry, in what could serve as a preview of a crucial first-round playoff battle.

As the discussions heat up ahead of the MVP announcement next month, Powell emphasized that Gilgeous-Alexander is currently favored to win. “All signs point toward Gilgeous-Alexander capturing the MVP award,” he stated, indicating that the voting might lean towards a near-unanimous decision rather than a tightly contested battle.

As the playoffs approach, fans and analysts alike eagerly await to see who ultimately claims the title of MVP. The outcome will not just affect the players, but also the legacy of their seasons, reminiscent of past MVP races that stirred significant debate.