The NBA MVP Race Is Getting Tighter: Who You Got, SGA or Nikola Jokic?

SGA or Jokic? 🏆🔥 The #NBAMVP race is heating up.

Who’s your pick? 🤔🏀 pic.twitter.com/X2hr12EiEY

— LockerRoom RAW (@LockerRoom_RAW) April 3, 2025

So, whether you’re a Team Jokic baller or an SGA fan, let’s break down each star’s case for MVP.

Shai’s Been Balling All Season Long

Kicking it all off, the man who has pushed the Thunder to become the absolute best team in the league this season, a true threat for opponents left and right, everybody’s favorite squad to roll with in their NBA picks and predictions, Mr. SGA.

While all signs initially pointed towards Jokic, the three-time MVP winner, going for his fourth, OKC’s SGA stepped up and said, “Hold up, check this out,” and proceeded to put on one of the absolute best seasons for a guard in the past twenty years.

With his 69th consecutive 20+ PT game, SGA ties Michael Jordan for the 4th longest single-season streak in NBA history!

Wilt Chamberlain (80 in 1961-62 & 1963-64)
Oscar Robertson (76 in 1963-64)
Michael Jordan (69 in 1990-91)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (69 this season) https://t.co/mOBtCitDEG pic.twitter.com/uEn0NtYUzw

— NBA (@NBA) April 3, 2025

Yes, it could be argued that Alexander favors having a roster that’s the epitome of dominant balance both on offense and defense.

But let’s face facts with more facts here. One of the main reasons the Thunder have been so dominant this season is because of SGA’s presence on the court.

Back on March 12, the Thunder clinched their spot in the NBA playoffs this season following a win against the always-favored Boston Celtics in Boston.

In that game alone, SGA put up 34 points with seven assists and five rebounds, making everybody not only in the Eastern Conference, but all over the league, know that if he’s on the court, the Thunder will always be betting odds favorites.

No wonder he was flexing all over Boston after the win.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats alone this season stack up next to numbers that players like Michael Jordan used to put up in his prime.

“What he’s (SGA) doing this year, you can put against any Jordan regular season… It is one of the best guard scoring seasons of all time.”

– @BillSimmons on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s season amid his MVP race with Nikola Jokić. pic.twitter.com/FxJ7hnHZw4

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 24, 2025

Averaging 32.8 points per game on 52.0 field goal percentage, hitting 37.3% from three-point land, and putting up 5.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, SGA is doing everything right to win MVP.

Tyrese Haliburton says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA’s MVP.

“I don’t have a vote, but I bet you if you took a player poll… He would win.” pic.twitter.com/U5UbXcisUb

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 30, 2025

I don’t even like Haliburton, but I have to give it to him; the man makes a valid point about SGA’s MVP-caliber season.

After That 61-Point Performance, Jokic Has Gained Ground

Moving on, let’s talk about Jokic now.

But where does one start with a player who’s coming off one of the absolute best performances in years?

Putting up a 61-point triple-double performance in a losing effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, his NBA MVP betting odds took a substantial upward bump, showing that the race might not be all in favor of SGA.

APRIL 1, 2025: A HISTORIC DATE

Tonight, Stephen Curry scored 52 PTS and Nikola Jokić scored 61 PTS.

It’s the first date in NBA HISTORY where multiple former MVP winners scored 50+ PTS 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/2SGCnhtlWr

— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2025

Even when comparing Nikola Jokic’s stats from previous MVP seasons to now, his numbers make him a shoo-in for the award.

Nikola Jokic this season vs. his MVP season averages 🃏

2024/25:
29.3 PPG
12.8 RPG
10.2 APG
1.8 STL
3.3 TOV
57.4 FG%
41.2 3P%

MVP averages:
26.6 PPG
12.3 RPG
8.4 APG
1.4 STL
3.3 TOV
57.7 FG%
36.1 3P%

😳 pic.twitter.com/8Izj41rZLV

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) April 1, 2025

With 29.3 ppg on 57.4 FG% and 41.2% from three, 2.8 RPG, 10.2 APG, and 1.8 STL, the man is a walking triple-double, even if guys like Shaq think they could take him.

As Denver currently holds the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings, one game behind LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers, though, it would take Jokic putting up a final season run of a lifetime to edge out SGA when comparing the Nuggets and Thunder.

Who’s Taking the NBA MVP Award Home?

So, who do I see taking MVP this season? SGA, who, besides leading the Thunder in a historic run this season, is also gearing up to be a father according to NBA rumors, or Jokic, who could cement his status as one of the best big men ever if he wins his fourth?

Well, if we look at it from a voting stats perspective, SGA should continue holding an edge in the race until the end of the season.

SGA is the favorite to win MVP according to ESPN’s NBA MVP straw poll

(Via https://t.co/Gt4OLrViJS) pic.twitter.com/6dnFfYQkAc

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 2, 2025

But screw numbers, let’s talk ball.

Yes, Jokic has handles like no other center in the league and can come up with plays on the fly that leave everybody second-guessing themselves, but Shai has shown to be the literal definition of endurance and overall dominance.

When boiling everything down to on-court impact, my vote is for SGA. Jokic already has three, given he should’ve had four, but he had to do good with being the NBA Finals MVP in 2023.

Alexander has the potential to take the Thunder on a title run; Jokic, not so much with the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic is playing out of his mind this season, but the idea of him winning another MVP over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is insulting. The Thunder are once again the top seed in the West, but with 60+ wins this time! Give SGA what he has earned! 🗣️

— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) April 2, 2025

If the NBA wants to do right by the fans and the sport, the decision should be an easy one to make. It’s SGA’s turn to get his moment in the MVP spotlight.