Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been voted the 2024-25 NBA MVP, marking a significant milestone in his career after finishing as the runner-up for the award the previous year. This announcement was made via ESPN's Shams Charania, noting that Gilgeous-Alexander triumphed over other notable finalists, including Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. The MVP race this season was especially competitive, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić establishing themselves as the early front-runners.

The Thunder star led his team to a first-place finish in the Western Conference for the second consecutive year, achieving the best overall record in the league at 68-14. Gilgeous-Alexander also claimed the NBA scoring title, averaging an impressive 32.7 points per game while contributing 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks. His shooting efficiency was notable, with a field goal percentage of 51.9 and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.5, marking the fourth season in his career where he exceeded 50 percent shooting. The 2024-25 season was filled with remarkable performances, including four occasions where he scored over 50 points, highlighted by a career-high 54-point game against the Utah Jazz in January.

Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's outstanding season, he faced formidable competition from Jokić, who asserted in March that he was 'playing the best basketball of my life.' Jokić made history this season by becoming only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. His exceptional performances included the first 30-20-20 game recorded in NBA history, where he scored 31 points, grabbed 21 rebounds, and delivered a career-high 22 assists in an overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns. He also achieved a personal record with 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a double-overtime contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the highest point total ever recorded in a triple-double. Additionally, Antetokounmpo ranked second in the league, averaging 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds, while also helping the Bucks secure victory in the In-Season Tournament championship. With his first MVP award now secured, Gilgeous-Alexander is poised to pursue his next goal: capturing an NBA championship.