During an appearance on ESPN's postgame coverage, Michael Malone, the former head coach of Nikola Jokić, expressed his belief in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's potential to be named the NBA MVP for the 2024-25 season. His comments came after the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 114-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, where Gilgeous-Alexander notably excelled in the second half after a slow start.

Gilgeous-Alexander concluded the game with an impressive stat line, contributing 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals. His ability to penetrate the defense, coupled with a strong performance at the free-throw line, showcased his offensive prowess. Furthermore, he demonstrated his vision and playmaking skills by effectively facilitating the offense when faced with defensive double teams, allowing the Thunder to dominate the third quarter and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Malone's endorsement of Gilgeous-Alexander is particularly intriguing, given his history with Jokić, whom he coached for ten seasons with the Denver Nuggets. This period included Jokić's receipt of three MVP awards, solidifying his status as one of the league's greats. As the two-time MVP continues to be a frontrunner in discussions about this year’s award, it remains to be seen how Malone's support for Gilgeous-Alexander will evolve, particularly now that he has transitioned to an analyst role after parting ways with the Nuggets.