Inside The Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Secures Top Spot On MVP Ladder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander take back the top spot on the NBA MVP Ladder.

Rylan Stiles

Mar 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) stands down court on defense against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) stands down court on defense against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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The NBA MVP race has been a hot button topic for the majority of the season. Down the home stretch of the 2024-25 NBA campaign, it has turned into a two man race. An interesting way to track the honor is through the NBA's MVP ladder, which is put out each week on the league's website.

Oklahoma City has seen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put together an impressive MVP case in hopes of bagging the franchises third award. This week, he moved back into the top spot on the MVP ladder.

"The league’s leading scorer has 12 games of 40 or more points and he makes it seem effortless. In his most recent 40-point game, he shot 17 of 26 from the floor against Detroit. He did that in 29 minutes earlier this season against Cleveland. He also added three steals in the Pistons’ game, typical of his presence at both ends," Powell wrote of Gilgeous-Alexander.

The only challenger to the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar is three-time MVP winner, who Powell ranked No. 2 on the ladder, dropping from the top spot a week ago.

"Jokić continues to average a triple-double and league the lead in that category. The chances of him finishing top three or four in scoring, rebounds and assists seem favorable with three weeks remaining in the season. The Nuggets are stumbling, though, in part because Jokić is starting to miss games with elbow and ankle injuries — two straight for him. Those nagging injuries must be painful because he rarely takes games off," The NBA scribe wrote of Jokic.

This award race will come down to the wire, but it seems obvious that Gilgeous-Alexander has a rightful lead. The OKC Thunder superstar should be able to take home the award as the season is nearing a close.

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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

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