Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on NBA MVP Race: 'None of It Matters if You Don't Win'

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is more concerned with the team's overall success than potential MVP recognition.

"I love MVPs, I love All-Stars, I love all the accolades that comes with it but none of it matters if you don't win and that's where I hang my hat," Gilgeous-Alexander said after Oklahoma City's 127-103 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

The three-time All-Star finished with 40 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks while shooting 46.9 percent from the field in the lopsided victory.

It was an impressive performance against a Nuggets team featuring Nikola Jokić, who has earned MVP honors in three of the previous four seasons. Jokić ended Sunday's contest with 24 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to go along with three blocks of his own.

Led by Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City is in the midst of an immensely successful 2024-25 campaign.

The Thunder own the top record in the Western Conference at 53-11, sitting 12 games above the Nuggets in the standings. They've thrived on both ends of the floor, owning the best net rating in the association (via NBA.com).

Gilgeous-Alexander has remained an elite three-level scorer, building upon a 2023-24 season in which he finishing No. 2 in MVP voting. In 62 starts this year, he's averaging a league-leading 32.9 points per game on 52.5/37.2/89.9 shooting aplits.

The 26-year-old is also pulling down 5.1 rebounds and dishing out 6.2 assists on a nightly basis, while his average of 1.8 steals per game ranks No. 3 among all players.

Even though Gilgeous-Alexander could find himself taking home some hardware for his impressive individual production this season, he's focused on helping the Thunder improve upon a second-round playoff exit in 2024.