Around one month remains ahead for the NBA regular season and with playoff implications coming into view, what better time than now to take a look at the MVP race and who is in the lead?
Most sportsbooks will tell you that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a strong lead over Nikola Jokic, which may be the case, but Jokic continues to put up historic numbers and the Nuggets are looking strong. While Giannis Antetokounmpo is certainly in third place, Jokic and SGA are far and away the top two contenders, so let’s look at their cases.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
As the heavy favorite to win the hardware, SGA is averaging a staggering 33 points, 6.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. While his offensive numbers rival those of all-time great scorers, his defensive play is what gives him a strong case over Jokic. With 1.8 steals and one block per game, SGA is a pillar of an OKC squad with the league’s best defensive rating.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was in his bag ???? last night and played like an MVP dropping a monstrous 45 points in a victory for the OKC Thunder ⚡ pic.twitter.com/DfsmHaW0Ba
— Ball Exclusives (@ballexclusives) November 12, 2024
Endorsed by many fans and players alike as the best player in the world, SGA has been the leader of arguably the league’s most intimidating matchup.
With a unique leadership approach that has catapulted this young team to a near 1st-place overall record, SGA gets the nod when it comes to team success and overall two-way contributions. With a plethora Midrange fadeaways and shifty drives to the rim, the Canadian is having one of the greatest offensive seasons ever by a guard, not to mention his defensive prowess.
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Nikola Jokic:
Currently averaging 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game, Jokic’s numbers this season have only ever been achieved by Oscar Robertson in the 1961-62 season. Jokic, however, has been far more efficient than Robertson that season, shooting 57.5% from the field compared to 47.8%.
To put it simply, Nikola Jokic might just be the greatest offensive center in the history of basketball. He’s certainly knocking on that door. He recently became the first player in NBA history with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists in a single game.
Nikola Jokic continues to shatter the mold ???? pic.twitter.com/GzE8ULYn0P
— Ball Exclusives (@ballexclusives) March 8, 2025
Averaging a triple-double for a season may not be the spectacular feat that it was a decade ago, but to dominate every facet of the game as much as Jokic has is nothing short of generational. Defensively, he doesn’t necessarily pass the eye test, but his defensive metrics are solid and the Denver Nuggets are tied for 2nd place in the Western Conference.
SGA’s lead in the polls may indicate that he will be the winner, and deservedly so, but as Kevin Durant himself declared in recent weeks, “Jokic is never an underdog an any situation.”
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
