Amid an intense MVP race with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken a major leap forward. On Tuesday, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month for March, making it the third time he’s earned the honor this season — surpassing Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, who won it twice in a single campaign.
And yet, it’s not just about hardware. Gilgeous-Alexander is now on pace to join Jordan in an elite statistical club. According to Thunder PR, SGA is set to become only the second player in NBA history to average 30+ points on at least 50% shooting, along with 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and one block per game. Jordan accomplished this feat in 1987-88 and again in 1990-91 — both years he went on to win MVP.
Gilgeous-Alexander is currently averaging 32.8 points on 52.2% shooting, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game — an all-around dominant stat line that makes him the frontrunner for the 2025 MVP award. Jokic, who has won the award three times, remains close behind.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s development, crediting not only his improved speed and efficiency but also his growing leadership.
“The speed he’s playing with; in transition, inside of actions, and on the catch is a huge jump,” Daigneault said. “I think his defense has really improved over that time… Over time, he’s just widened that lens to where now I think he sees almost everything through a team lens.”
Daigneault emphasized that SGA’s rise has been just as much about his mentality and selflessness as it has been about talent.
“Despite the fact that he’s on the doorstep of winning an MVP award last year and this year, he sees things through a broader lens, and sees things through the lens of the team,” Daigneault said. “He makes incremental growth almost monthly… The speed on offense, the impact on defense, and then the leadership, and team orientation, it’s like night and day. He’s really done an impressive job.”
With Oklahoma City riding a 10-game winning streak, Gilgeous-Alexander will look to keep the Thunder rolling in Wednesday night’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons. As he continues to post Jordan-esque numbers, the MVP buzz is only growing louder in OKC.
