Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads NBA MVP rankings in Oklahoma

The race for the 2024-25 NBA MVP is heating up. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder is the current favorite. He is widely expected to win, with betting odds favoring him at -850. In contrast, Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets is seen as a distant second, with odds around 4-to-1. Gilgeous-Alexander has been outstanding this March. He is averaging 37.6 points and 7 assists with impressive shooting percentages. He has scored over 40 points in four games and even reached 51 in one match. SGA leads the league in various scoring categories and has a notable plus-minus rating, showing his strong overall impact on the game. Jokić, a three-time MVP, is having an incredible season too. He is among the top four in scoring, assists, rebounds, and steals, an impressive feat. Without him, the Nuggets would struggle significantly. Despite his achievements, it seems voters might lean towards SGA this year. Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks is also in the discussion but not favored to win. He needs to play in a few more games to qualify for MVP consideration. Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, ranking high in scoring, may not get the recognition he deserves due to the depth of his team. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is making a case for a top-five MVP spot. Before his injury, the Lakers were performing well, and his influence is clear. He remains a dominant player, and his statistics support his claim for the MVP ranking. Overall, the MVP race appears close, especially between SGA and Jokić.