Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Secures Back-to-Back NBA MVP Honors

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially cemented his place in basketball history. Following a dominant 2025-26 regular season, the league announced that Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. This achievement places him in elite company, as he becomes just the 14th player in the history of the league to win back-to-back MVP awards.

A Season of Unmatched Efficiency

While the race for the Michael Jordan Trophy featured a rotating cast of high-performing candidates throughout the year, Gilgeous-Alexander ultimately separated himself through a blend of volume scoring and historic efficiency. Despite his scoring average shifting slightly from 32.7 to 31.1 points per game, the Thunder star reached new heights in his shooting splits.

Gilgeous-Alexander concluded the season shooting 55.3% from the floor, 38.6% from beyond the arc, and 87.9% from the free-throw line. According to league data, this level of efficiency on high-volume shooting has been achieved by only one other player in modern history, Kevin Durant, who reached those benchmarks during the 2022-23 season.

The efficiency of his offensive output was particularly notable given his workload. While he finished second in the league in scoring, he did so while ranking 42nd in total touches per game, illustrating a clinical approach to his offensive possessions.

Voting Breakdown

The voting process reflected a competitive field, yet Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the clear favorite among the 100 voters. The final results for the 2026 NBA MVP were as follows:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): 83 first-place votes (939 points)
• Nikola Jokić (Nuggets): 10 first-place votes (634 points)
• Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 5 first-place votes (569 points)
• Luka Dončić (Lakers): 0 first-place votes (250 points)
• Cade Cunningham (Pistons): 2 first-place votes (117 points)

Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama rounded out the top three finalists, while Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić completed the top five.

Key Takeaways from the 2025-26 Campaign

• Historic Consistency: By securing his second consecutive title, Gilgeous-Alexander joins a short list of legends who have successfully defended the award.
• Efficiency over Volume: His ability to maintain elite shooting percentages while managing fewer touches than his peers served as the cornerstone of his MVP case.
• A Competitive Field: The presence of five different players receiving first-place votes highlights the depth of talent across the NBA this season.

Looking Ahead

The 2025-26 season will be remembered for the continued rise of young superstars and the persistent excellence of established veterans. As the league transitions into the postseason, Gilgeous-Alexander’s back-to-back MVP run serves as a definitive statement on his status as the premier talent in the National Basketball Association. With the Michael Jordan Trophy secured, the focus for the Thunder star now shifts toward translating this individual dominance into championship success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who presents the NBA MVP award?
The award is presented by the National Basketball Association to the best-performing player of the regular season. Since the 2022-23 season, the winner receives the Michael Jordan Trophy.

How long has the MVP award been given?
The NBA has awarded the Most Valuable Player honor annually since the 1955-56 season.

How many players have won the MVP award?
A total of 36 players have earned the title of NBA Most Valuable Player since the inception of the award.