The NBA MVP race has come down to a duel between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – a three-time winner versus a rising challenger. These two superstars are playing at a historic level this season, leading their teams with record-breaking stats. With only the two of them left in serious contention, Gilgeous-Alexander appears closer to his first MVP award than Jokić does to his fourth.
MVP Race: What NBA Stars, Legends, Coaches, and Analysts Say
Kevin Durant recently stated that Jokić can never be considered an underdog in the MVP race: “I won’t let you do that… Jokić is never an underdog in any situation. Stop it.” Meanwhile, Magic Johnson predicted that Shai would win the MVP award, emphasizing his crucial role in Oklahoma City’s success.
Stephen A. Smith firmly backed SGA as the MVP: “SGA will be the league MVP if he keeps this up. I don’t care what Jokić does.” Kendrick Perkins initially supported SGA but changed his stance after Jokić’s historic triple-double, acknowledging the Serbian center’s uniqueness.
On TNT’s analysis, Charles Barkley called Jokić “the best player in the world”, while Shaquille O’Neal recognized Jokić’s stats but also showed respect for Oklahoma City’s rise. Gilbert Arenas described this MVP race as one of the most thrilling in recent years.
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Coaches and Analysts: How They See Jokić and SGA
Michael Malone, Denver’s head coach, highlighted Jokić’s historical dominance: “When you are one of a kind in NBA history, that means something.” On the other hand, Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City’s coach, has focused on team success, stating that awards come as a byproduct of winning.
Analysts like Tim Legler have been amazed by Jokić’s numbers, while Bill Simmons believes the MVP vote will ultimately favor “the best player in the world”, which would give Jokić an edge.
Let's do it again tomorrow ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/ZiqPFlp8tL
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 9, 2025
Unprecedented Statistical Dominance
Individually, both candidates are setting records. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league with 32.9 points per game, showing elite shooting efficiency (52.5% FG, 37.2% 3PT, 89.9% FT). Additionally, he averages 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
On the other hand, Nikola Jokić is producing all-time great numbers, averaging around 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. Jokić also leads in advanced metrics, including Player Efficiency Rating (PER) at around 32 and Box Plus/Minus (BPM) at ~13.6.
Knockdown triple pic.twitter.com/Tua5jOcI1X
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 9, 2025
Impact on Team Success: Irreplaceable Leaders
Oklahoma City currently holds the best record in the NBA at 53-11 and boasts the league’s best net rating at +13 points per 100 possessions. Gilgeous-Alexander is dominant on both ends of the court.
Denver, meanwhile, relies on Jokić in every aspect of the game, with their performance dropping significantly when he is off the floor. The Nuggets have a 2-4 record without Jokić this season, emphasizing his irreplaceability.
Against the Best: Performance vs. Elite Teams
The Thunder have a 23–10 record against winning teams, while Denver has struggled slightly more against top competition. Oklahoma City defeated Denver in a head-to-head matchup, with SGA outplaying Jokić by scoring 40 points with 8 assists, while Jokić had 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists in a loss.
Gilgeous-Alexander represents a fresh story – an unexpected superstar taking over the NBA, whereas Jokić faces the challenge of “voter fatigue.” Despite playing one of the best seasons of his career, there’s a perception that winning a fourth MVP might be too much.
Who Will Win the MVP?
Although betting odds favor Gilgeous-Alexander, the final vote will depend on how both players perform in the season’s closing stretch. Both are playing historically great basketball, and regardless of who wins, it’s clear that the 2025 MVP will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in NBA history.
