By Team Sports Kida 
Few players have entered the 2025-26 season with as much momentum as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Coming off a historic 2024-25 campaign and carrying that into the new season, he remains one of the frontrunners for the league’s top individual honor. Many observers are weighing MVP odds on DraftKings MVP odds page, in his favor, given how much he affects both ends of the floor and helps make his team a contender.
In 2024-25 he elevated his game across the board while leading his team’s success. That blend of elite offense, improving defense, durability, and a winning record makes him a strong candidate to remain among the league’s most valuable players.
What Went Right in 2024-25
The 2024-25 season will likely go down as one of the best guard seasons in recent NBA history — and SGA was the center of it. According to league stats, he averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, while adding 1.7 steals and about 1.0 blocks per game.
His shooting splits were elite: 51.9% from the field, 37.5% from three, and 89.8% from the free-throw line. That kind of efficiency at high volume is rare, especially for a lead ball-handler and primary scorer.
SGA did not just score a lot; he scored consistently. He had multiple 50-point outings, more than a dozen 40-point games, and nearly 50 games above 30 points — a mark of sustained excellence.
Beyond scoring, he contributed in playmaking, rebounding, and defense. He regularly logged heavy minutes — among the league leaders — showing durability and endurance.
Perhaps most importantly for an MVP case: his team thrived with him on the floor. The Oklahoma City Thunder posted one of the best regular-season records in NBA history under his lead.
His individual awards from the season show how much respect he earned: he won the league’s scoring title, was voted 2024-25 regular season MVP, earned first-team All-NBA honors, and was recognized among the top defenders in the guard pool.
Finally, in the playoffs, he delivered again, showing that his regular-season success translated when games mattered most.
In short, 2024-25 was as complete a season as a guard can have. Efficiency, volume, all-around production, defense, and team success are all aligned.
How the 2025-26 Season Started
As the 2025-26 campaign unfolds, SGA has carried forward much of that excellence. Early reports indicate he remains supremely efficient: shooting splits (on twos, threes, and free throws) remain strong.
He continues to handle heavy usage while keeping turnovers low — a critical point for a lead guard and primary ball-handler.
Beyond per-game numbers, what stands out is that his presence keeps the team stable and effective. Even when managing adversity and the intensity that comes from being a title contender, he has kept his production and the team’s competitiveness high.
If he can stay healthy and sustain those performances, his case to remain among the MVP favorites remains intact.
What Could Challenge His Chances — And What to Watch
No MVP — no matter how strong — is guaranteed to repeat, especially in a league full of stars. A few factors could work against SGA’s chances:
- Competition from other superstars. Guards generally struggle to repeat as MVP when dominant big men or two-way forwards (with all-around stats or team success) emerge.
- Team performance. Success for an MVP candidate typically requires team buy-in. If the team falters or injuries pile up, that weakens the narrative.
- Sustainability of pace and efficiency. High scoring and efficiency are hard to maintain perennially, especially under a heavier defensive focus from opponents.
- Expectations bump. Having won MVP, expectations rise sharply. Media and voter scrutiny become more intense, and voters may demand even more well-rounded or flashy performances — beyond scoring and efficiency.
Still, SGA seems positioned well. His well-rounded game, defensive chops, efficiency, and team success all align with what voters historically reward.
Odds and Perception — Why Many Believe He Can Repeat
When SGA locked in his MVP in 2024-25, oddsmakers and watchers quickly placed him among the favorites to contend again. As per publicly available MVP projections, he had already built a strong lead, which reflects both reality on court and confidence from the broader basketball community.
That perception matters. MVP voting is not purely about stats. It often rewards a narrative — a player carrying his team, impacting winning, and defining a season. SGA ticks all those boxes.
Given his output, efficiency, and the Thunder’s early-season performance, many pundits and fans view him as a legitimate repeat candidate.
Repeat MVP — Realistic or Wishful Thinking?
It is realistic to believe that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can contend for — and possibly win — another MVP award. The foundation is there: elite scoring, efficiency, all-around contributions, defensive value, and a franchise built around him.
To do so, he will need to stay healthy, keep up production, and ensure the Thunder remain among the league’s top teams. If he and his team meet those expectations, voters may reward consistency and value once again.
For now, SGA remains one of the most exciting and credible MVP candidates in the NBA. It will be fascinating to watch how the season unfolds and whether he can turn last season’s peak into sustained dominance.
Editor