Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thanks teammates after claiming second straight MVP
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collected his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player trophy on Sunday, becoming the fifth guard and 14th player overall to win back-to-back awards. Speaking at a news conference attended by the entire Thunder roster, the 27-year-old credited family, friends, coaches and teammates for the honor.
“There are so many people in my life who sacrificed for me to just play this game I love,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I would be doing them a disservice if I didn’t give it my all.”
The Canadian guard, drafted 11th overall in 2018, marked the occasion by giving every teammate matching Burberry trench coats and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver watches—gifts valued at roughly $40,000 per player, according to The Oklahoman. Looking around the room, he added, “All of the numbers, all of the accolades and everything I do on the court, if we won 10 games, I wouldn’t be in this conversation. So thank you guys so much. I love you guys.”
Thunder’s recent run of MVPs
Gilgeous-Alexander’s award is the fourth MVP captured by a Thunder player in the past 18 years, a stretch Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman notes surpasses eight franchises—among them the 77-year-old Detroit Pistons—that have never produced an NBA MVP. Before leaving the podium, the guard reminded his teammates of the larger goal: “We have a lot more work to do. So after tonight, get back to work.”
Nash helps present the trophy
Fellow Canadian and two-time MVP Steve Nash, now working with Prime Video, participated in Sunday’s presentation. Gilgeous-Alexander later revealed Nash was the first person who told him he would reach the NBA.
Holmgren shining in the playoffs
While Gilgeous-Alexander earned the league’s regular-season honor for 2025-26, center Chet Holmgren has paced Oklahoma City through the opening two postseason rounds. Still recovering from a fractured hip suffered during last year’s title run, the 7-footer is averaging 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals in 31.4 minutes, shooting .600 from the field, .387 from three and .885 at the line.
“His versatility defensively—impactful at the five, at the rim and on the perimeter—has unlocked a lot of options for us,” head coach Mark Daigneault said. “The list is long, but it should be for a guy that’s as impactful as he is.”
Oklahoma City opens the Western Conference finals at home against San Antonio on Monday night.
Source: Hoops Rumors
