The MVP Battle Hits Its Peak
With the Western Conference semifinals underway, two of the NBA’s brightest stars are locked in not just a playoff duel — but one of the most compelling MVP races in recent memory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic spent the regular season redefining excellence, and now their postseason collision has added emotional weight to an already unforgettable campaign.
The Case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA wasn’t just a scorer — he was a leader.
-
32.7 points per game (NBA leader)
-
5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists per game
-
51.9% shooting
He led the Thunder to a league-best 68 wins, becoming just the seventh team in history to reach that mark. Oklahoma City finished 16 games clear of second place in the West, with Gilgeous-Alexander as the engine of their rise.
The Case for Nikola Jokic
A three-time MVP, Jokic delivered perhaps his most complete season yet.
-
29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists per game
-
57.6% FG, 41.7% 3PT
-
33 triple-doubles
His all-around brilliance remained unmatched — making plays as a scorer, passer, and defender — while carrying the Nuggets to a top-three seed in the West.
A fourth MVP would place Jokic in historic company alongside legends like LeBron James and Magic Johnson.
MVP Finalists & Stats Breakdown
|
Player |
Games |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
76 |
32.7 |
5.0 |
6.4 |
|
Nikola Jokic |
70 |
29.6 |
12.7 |
10.2 |
|
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
67 |
30.4 |
11.9 |
6.5 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo rounded out the top three, continuing his elite two-way dominance for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bontemps’ MVP Ballot Results
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Gilgeous-Alexander won the media vote with 77 of 100 first-place ballots:
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 931 points
-
Nikola Jokic – 769 points
-
Giannis Antetokounmpo –
-
Jayson Tatum
-
Jalen Brunson
Legacy on the Line
This MVP race wasn’t just about stats — it was about styles.
-
SGA’s scoring and efficiency powered a young team to elite status.
-
Jokic’s versatility and IQ maintained the Nuggets’ position among the NBA elite.
Now, both are clashing in the playoffs. One is chasing his first MVP. The other, a chance at history with a fourth.
A Season Worth Remembering
The award will be decided soon. But regardless of who holds the trophy, 2025 has already gifted fans a classic MVP race — one shaped by greatness and defined by two players at the peak of their powers.
