Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA MVP, claims Chet Holmgren

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 57-25 record and the Western Conference’s top-seed. The 2023-24 Kia NBA MVP finalist had another big game on Wednesday night as the Thunder jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the New Orleans Pelicans via a 124-92 blowout.

He finished with 33 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 13-19 from the field, 3-5 from three-point range and 4-4 from the free-throw line. Following the game, Thunder center Chet Holmgren labeled his teammate as the league MVP, stating:

He’s too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here. MVP of the league. I’m going to say it for him because he won’t say it.

"He's too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here" pic.twitter.com/Vh8v7eZXal

— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024

Gilgeous-Alexander is among three finalists for the award – along with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic. He averaged 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 53.5% from the field, 35.3% from three-point range and 87.4% from the free-throw line.

Chet Holmgren reveals why he believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is humble

During his post-game press conference, reporters asked Chet Holmgren why he labeled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as humble. The 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year finalist responded:

I think that’s just the guy that he is. When you know who you are and you’re really confident in it, you don’t have to try to project it. He knows he’s a great player. He knows what he means to this team so he doesn’t feel the need to try to put it into words so sometimes some of us have to speak for him.

"When you know who you are and you're really confident in it, you don't have to try to project it"

Chet on why he thinks SGA is humble 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/S6uWFbhf4J

— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024

Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into one of the best players in the league. After finishing fifth in the MVP race last season, he has finished in the top-three of voting for the first time in his six-year career. The two-time All-Star is on the verge of reaching the second round of the postseason for the first time in his young career. The series will shift to New Orleans for Game 3, which is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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