The NBA MVP race is coming down to two standout players: Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both have strong cases, and with Game 7 of their playoff series approaching on Sunday, their head-to-head matchup carries even more weight—at least in the eyes of fans.
For Jokic, a win would further bolster his legacy, potentially earning him a fourth MVP award and placing him alongside legendary centers like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Meanwhile, a win for Gilgeous-Alexander would mark his first MVP, cementing his rise among the league’s elite guards.
The debate has even reached NBA players, with Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant responding to a social media post from Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland that questioned the delay in announcing the MVP. Morant quipped, “they got to see who win the series first.” While his comment resonated with fans, it’s important to remember that the MVP is strictly a regular-season honor, and the voting was completed well before the playoffs began.
Still, the suspense remains. Last year, Jokic was named MVP on May 8th, so this year’s winner is expected to be revealed later than that. There’s speculation that the NBA might be intentionally holding off the announcement to build up anticipation, possibly even revealing the winner in dramatic fashion at center court before Sunday’s Game 7.
