Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, cementing his status as one of the league’s defining players.
The 27-year-old guard beat out San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for the award, according to reports. The win makes Gilgeous-Alexander the 14th player in NBA history to claim back-to-back MVP honours.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s latest MVP follows another dominant regular season for the Thunder, who remained among the NBA’s elite behind his scoring, efficiency and late-game control. Reports said he averaged about 31 points, six assists and four rebounds while again leading Oklahoma City into championship contention.
The award continues a remarkable rise for the Canadian guard, who won his first MVP in 2024-25 after averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game. That season, he became the second Canadian player to win the honour after Steve Nash and the third Thunder player to do so after Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s repeat places him in rare company. The last players to win consecutive MVP awards include Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Nash. His back-to-back recognition also strengthens the Thunder’s transformation from rebuilding team to title contender.
For Oklahoma City, the award is another major validation of its long-term project built around Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and one of the NBA’s deepest young cores.
Gilgeous-Alexander now turns his attention to the postseason, where the Thunder are chasing a championship to match their regular-season dominance.
