Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins back-to-back NBA MVP awards

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By Enitan Abdultawab

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, becoming only the 14th player in history to win back-to-back MVP awards.

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The reigning NBA champion comfortably led voting, receiving 83 of a possible 100 first-place votes. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić finished third in the race, while San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama placed third overall in voting.

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Gilgeous-Alexander’s latest achievement continues a historic run for international players, marking the eighth straight year that a non-American has won the prestigious award.

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Speaking at a celebration at the Thunder practice facility, where he was joined by teammates dressed in matching Burberry trench coats gifted to him, the Canadian star reflected on the team’s role in his success.

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“Basketball’s obviously a team sport,” he said.

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“All the numbers, all the accolades, everything that I do on the court, if we won 10 games, I wouldn’t be in this conversation. So, thank you guys so much. I love you guys,” he added.

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He dominated the voting with 83 first-place selections, while Jokić received 10 and Wembanyama got five. Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers finished fourth, with Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons in fifth place.

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Cunningham’s two first-place votes marked the first time since 2021 that a U.S.-born player received such recognition in MVP voting.

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Further down the rankings, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics placed sixth, while Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers tied for seventh.

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Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised his star player’s consistency and growth.

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“Who he is has never changed,” Daigneault said. “I think he’s touched up the edges on his game and on his leadership and on his perspective, just like anybody else that’s coming of age.”

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The MVP win further cements Gilgeous-Alexander’s status as one of the NBA’s elite stars and underlines Oklahoma City’s dominance in the current era.

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