Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Second Consecutive NBA MVP Award

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder earned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row. This recognition makes him the 18th player to secure at least two MVP titles. He also joins a group of 14 players who have won the award consecutively.

Celebrating his achievement, Gilgeous-Alexander addressed his teammates at the Thunder practice facility. He expressed gratitude, stating, “Basketball is a team sport. None of these accolades matter if we don’t win games. Thank you all for your support.” To commemorate the occasion, he gifted teammates new Burberry trench coats, golf bags, gift baskets, and luxury watches.

This victory marks the eighth instance in a row that an NBA MVP is born outside the U.S. The sequence began with Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece in 2019 and 2020, followed by Serbia’s Nikola Jokic in 2021 and 2022, Joel Embiid from Cameroon in 2023, and Jokic again in 2024. Gilgeous-Alexander took the title in 2025 and 2026.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander, “His growth in skills and leadership has been evident. He’s matured like anyone else coming into their prime.”

Gilgeous-Alexander received 83 first-place votes out of 100. Jokic came second with 10 votes, and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama placed third. Luka Doncic from the Los Angeles Lakers and Cade Cunningham from Detroit were fourth and fifth respectively. Cunningham’s two first-place votes were the first for a U.S.-born player since 2021.

For the fifth straight year, international players dominated the MVP voting. Last year, the order was Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Antetokounmpo. In previous years, Jokic and Embiid were frequently in the top spots.

Gilgeous-Alexander commented on career opportunities, “Many NBA players lack opportunities. I feel lucky to be where I am.”

The Thunder and Spurs will face each other in the Western Conference finals. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will present Gilgeous-Alexander with his MVP trophy. Despite averaging a triple-double, Jokic did not secure the MVP, continuing a trend where such achievements don’t guarantee the award. Past players like Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson also faced similar outcomes.

Known for his calm demeanor, Gilgeous-Alexander stated, “Success here comes from teamwork. It’s not about individual accolades; it’s a collective goal.” This sentiment reflects his perspective on the Thunder’s success and his alignment with the organization’s values.