SGA vs. Jokic: Who's the real MVP?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are currently engaged in an intense MVP battle. Both players have had outstanding seasons, leading their teams to the first and second seeds in the playoffs, respectively. With the regular season coming to a close, each player is making a strong case for why they deserve to win the MVP award.

The two leading MVP candidates recently faced off as the Nuggets played a back-to-back game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a statement by scoring 40 points, along with eight rebounds and five assists, during a 127-103 blowout win. This marked his league-leading 11th game this season with over 40 points. The following night, Nikola Jokić had an impressive performance, responding with 35 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists, helping the Nuggets secure a win on the road.

Shai and Jokic have had historic statistical seasons while leading their teams to great success. Shai is currently the NBA's leading scorer, averaging 32.7 points per game. He achieved a career-high of 54 points against the Utah Jazz on January 22nd. This performance is just one of many examples of his incredible scoring ability, as he leads the league with four 50-point games this season; before this year, he had never scored 50 or more points in his career. Additionally, he holds the record for the most 20, 30, and 40-point games this season, demonstrating why he is considered one of the top scorers.

Nikola Jokic has epitomized the term "stat sheet stuffer" as a three-time MVP, and this season, he has elevated his game even further. He is currently averaging a triple-double while achieving career highs in scoring, assists, rebounds, steals, and three-point percentage. His most impressive performance of the season was a historic masterclass in which he became the first player in NBA history to record a 30/20/20 triple-double during an overtime win against the Phoenix Suns. Additionally, he is the first center in NBA history to record 20 assists in a single game.

Both players are more than deserving of the MVP award, as they are arguably the two best players in the NBA. They are both achieving high levels of success, with a slight edge going to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) for potentially leading his team to the first seed in the Western Conference for two consecutive seasons. For Nikola Jokić, winning this award would mark his fourth MVP, tying him with LeBron James for the most MVPs by an active player. On the other hand, for SGA, it would be his first career MVP, which could add significant value to his resume if he is also able to guide the Thunder to a deep playoff run.

That said, while Jokić is undoubtedly a phenomenal player, I believe the MVP should go to SGA. Beyond his impressive statistics, his ability to lead one of the youngest teams in the NBA to the best record in the West cannot be overstated.