Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named Western Conference Finals MVP, Leads NBA Finals MVP Odds

Oklahoma City Thunder guard and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to rack up the hardware this season.

After leading his team to the NBA Finals with a five-game series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the Western Conference Finals MVP.

The accolades might not be over either as the point guard leads the NBA Finals MVP odds by a wide margin, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (-550)
• Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers (+700)
• Pascal Siakam, Pacers (+3200)
• Jalen Williams, Thunder (+3300)
• Jalen Brunson, Knicks (+3500)
• Chet Holmgren, Thunder (+8000)

These are currently the only six players with odds shorter than 100-1 for the MVP award.

The Indiana Pacers entered Wednesday with a 3-1 series lead over the New York Knicks.

Gilgeous-Alexander has enjoyed a tremendous season, averaging a NBA-high 32.7 points per game on 51.9 percent shooting in addition to 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks. He also notched a career-high 54 points against the Utah Jazz last January.

OKC went an NBA-best 68-14 along the way, clearly establishing itself as the league's best, deepest and most dominant team. The Thunder's depth has been a calling card, as has its No. 1 defensive rating. OKC also finished the year No. 1 in net rating (+12.8), per Basketball-Reference.

Now Gilgeous-Alexander is enjoying a great postseason capped by his Western Conference Finals MVP-winning performance (31.4 PPG, 8.2 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.8 SPG).

Given his tremendous success, it's easy to see why SGA is the NBA Finals MVP frontrunner right now. Plus, OKC will be a clear favorite over the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, whether it be the Pacers after a great effort or the Knicks in a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

As for the next-biggest threat for the Finals MVP award, It is understandable why Haliburton is No. 2 on the list, though. The All-NBA Third Teamer is having a fantastic year himself, including a great postseason featuring tremendous heroics. That's been capped off of late by a 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double (alongside four steals) in a 130-121 win in Game 4.

For now, though, SGA and the Thunder can rest for a bit, while the Pacers and Knicks continue their series. Game 5 is Thursday in New York at 8 p.m. ET.