The 2024-25 NBA MVP race was one of the most debated in recent memory, featuring standout seasons from three international superstars: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ center, delivered another stellar campaign, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, showcasing his all-around brilliance.
Antetokounmpo continued to dominate with his two-way play, while Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 68-14 record, averaging a league-high 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting, along with 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds.
On Wednesday, the ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been named the league’s Most Valuable Player. This marks the first MVP award for the 26-year-old Canadian guard and the third in Thunder franchise history, following Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s exceptional season not only led the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference but also positioned him as a central figure in the team’s deepest playoff run since the Durant era.
In the wake of the announcement, former Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard took to social media to share his thoughts on the MVP outcome.
“Shai 🔥🔥🔥 but Jokic is still the greatest MVP snub of all time good worker Joker,” Howard wrote on X
Jokic’s resume continues to solidify his place among the NBA’s elite. A three-time MVP, he led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship in 2023, earning Finals MVP honors. His unique skill set as a center who can score, rebound, and facilitate at an elite level has redefined the position and left an indelible mark on the game.
