SGA's MVP Candidacy Hyped by NBA Fans After Thunder Survive Win vs. Jalen Brunson, Knicks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 26 points and eight assists to help lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-100 road win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

Chet Holmgren scored 14 of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter to pace OKC, which improved to an NBA-best 49-15 with the victory.

Gilgeous-Alexander hit a huge three-pointer down the stretch to give the Thunder a 103-96 lead with 1:18 remaining.

The Thunder held on from there as the Knicks orchestrated a last-minute comeback. They even had the ball on the final possession down three with a chance to tie the game. Jalen Brunson's three from the corner was off the mark, but the ball was tipped out to OG Anunoby for another shot. His three was short, and OKC held on for the win.

Gilgeous-Alexander looks like the clear favorite to win the NBA MVP for the second year in the row. Analysts and fans praised his effort Wednesday, particularly after the three.

For the season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Those are MVP numbers, and he's guiding the league's top team, so it's no surprise he's leading the race.

Gilgeous-Alexander does have his detractors, though, specifically those who point out he looks for (and gets) a superstar whistle and treatment.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown provided an honest assessment of the challenges of facing SGA after the game.

In the end, Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder team was victorious, and now the Thunder will look for win No. 50 when they host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.