Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a strong statement in the NBA MVP race on Friday.
Returning from a nine-game break, he scored 36 points in a 127-121 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets. This performance reinforces his leading position as the regular season approaches its final stages.
As the MVP race unfolds, it’s essential to consider the league’s requirement of playing at least 65 games to qualify for end-of-season awards, which could impact Gilgeous-Alexander’s chances.
Key: GP = Games played; GL = Games left; GN = Games needed
The favorite
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
GP: 50 | GL: 21 | GN: 15 (71.4% of remaining games)
Gilgeous-Alexander can only miss six out of the last 21 games, which seems achievable given his strong return. However, with four back-to-back games remaining, any decisions to rest him could put his game total at risk. This would be unfortunate, as he has been even more valuable this season; the Thunder perform 10.5 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court compared to last year’s 7.6 points.
Possible 65-game threshold casualties
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
GP: 44 | GL: 22 | GN: 21 (95.5%)
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
GP: 45 | GL: 23 | GN: 20 (87%)
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
GP: 46 | GL: 24 | GN: 19 (79.2%)
Jokic, Wembanyama, and Doncic have limited flexibility due to extended absences. Jokic’s contributions are significant, making Denver 17.5 points better per 100 possessions with him. However, he’s already missed 16 games, which puts him close to the exclusion line.
Wembanyama and Doncic also need to remain healthy. Wembanyama is crucial for the Spurs, averaging 23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and an NBA-high 2.8 blocks per game. Doncic leads the scoring charts at 32.7 points per game but might find reaching 65 games challenging with limited time left.
Trending MVP finalists
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
GP: 53 | GL: 23 | GN: 12 (52.2%)
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
GP: 52 | GL: 24 | GN: 13 (54.2%)
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
GP: 55 | GL: 21 | GN: 10 (47.6%)
Brown’s standout performance has helped the Celtics, especially with injuries to key players. Cunningham has also been key for the Pistons, currently leading the league. Mitchell, despite recent injuries, remains vital for the Cavaliers as they navigate the playoffs.
Dark-horse contenders
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
GP: 55 | GL: 24 | GN: 10 (41.2%)
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
GP: 55 | GL: 22 | GN: 10 (45.5%)
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
GP: 57 | GL: 23 | GN: 8 (34.8%)
These players could join the finalist conversation if key contenders falter. Durant remains a strong performer, while Maxey is having a career-best season, leading in steals. Brunson also contributes significantly to Knicks’ offensive strength.