Editor’s Note: The NBA MVP Awards are voted by 100 members of media selected by the league. Voting takes place before the postseason. USA Today Sports Reporter Jeff Zillgitt votes.
ESPN reports that Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Shy Gilgauss Alexander has been awarded the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
All-Star centre Nikola Jokić of Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets was considered the front runner of honor. Milwaukee forwarded finalist Giannis Antetocomo and was part of the conversation.
The NBA MVP Award winners will be officially announced on Wednesday, May 21st before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals (7pm, TNT).
When comparing frontrunner statistics, the choices were less clear than in previous years.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-best and career-high 32.7 points, leading the league with 7.9 free throws per game. Meanwhile, Jokic has filled out a statistical line. He averaged 29.6 points – behind AntotoCompo – averaged double digit rebounds (3rd) and assists (2nd).
How does Gilgauss Alexander and Jokic compare?
How does Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot selection compare to Jokić’s?
Gilgeous-Alexander took 292 shot attempts and scored more points than Jokić. However, Gilgeous-Alexander played more than Jokić in games of 6 or more games, each player played in roughly the same few minutes.
How Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić compare with advanced metrics
Jokic led the league with a triple double (34) and was number one in the player efficiency rating (PER) – measuring player positive and negative play – a rating of 32.12 was the second highest in his career.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Per was second best with 30.73. It is rare for security guards to reach at least around 30 people. 2018-19 James Harden was the last security guard from the top 30. Gilgauss Alexander’s Mark is the second-highest security guard of the past decade, following Steph Curry’s 31.56 in 2015-16.
Gilgauss – How are Alexander and Jokic compared by total points?
Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2,484 points this season was over 400 ahead of Jokić. But on the side of Jokic’s ledger, he had a performance of 60 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Minnesota. It was the third 60-point triple double in NBA history.
Both goals passed in several leagues at their best.
