Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a strong case for the NBA MVP award. In a matchup between two of the league’s top players on Sunday, March 9, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 127-103 win over Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.
While SGA’s performance was outstanding, the night was also marked by an emotional halftime moment with his son and a strong statement about his MVP aspirations.
SGA Leads Thunder to Victory in High-Stakes Matchup
The game was competitive until the Thunder pulled away with a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City outscored Denver by 21 points in the final stretch, securing a statement victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander was the key to the win, finishing with 40 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. He dominated, particularly in the closing minutes when he scored seven straight points to seal the victory.
When asked what made the difference, Gilgeous-Alexander pointed to the team’s defensive effort.
“Yeah, we were able to get stops down the stretch and then just execute. That’s what it all comes down to. With a team that good, it’s never gonna be pretty all the time. If you get stops and execute, you give yourself a chance no matter who you play.”
He also spoke about how attacking the rim early helped him find his offensive rhythm. “Yeah, that’s where it all started. It all started with the rim—easy baskets. That’s my comfort zone. I didn’t make as many shots as I wanted tonight, but we got the win, so I don’t care.”
Shai holding his son at halftime. 🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/TQsY97EcsN
— Addam M. Francisco (@SuaveCEO_) March 9, 2025
At halftime, Gilgeous-Alexander shared a heartwarming moment with his son. He walked to the stands, lifted his child in his arms, and shared a tender exchange that had fans smiling. This season has been special for Gilgeous-Alexander, both professionally and personally, as he and his wife, Hailey Summers, welcomed their first child in April 2024.
SGA Declares His MVP Goal After Chet Holmgren’s Shoutout
Following the game, teammate Chet Holmgren interrupted Gilgeous-Alexander’s postgame interview with a simple message—”MVP.”
When asked about his mindset playing against another elite player like Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized winning above all else.
"I love MVPs, I love All-Stars. … None of it matters if you don't win."
SGA has one thing in mind 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hEkx28JOZo
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 9, 2025
“Get a win. That’s what it’s all about for me. I love MVPs, I love All-Stars, I love all the accolades that come with it, but none of it matters if you don’t win. That’s where I hang my hat, and I’m happy with tonight’s outcome because we won.”
This game was another example of why Gilgeous-Alexander is a top contender for MVP. On the other side, Jokić, another MVP candidate, posted 24 points, nine assists, and 13 rebounds, but his efforts weren’t enough to keep the Nuggets from falling short against the Thunder.