Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander nearing historic Michael Jordan feat

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Amid Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP race with Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, the Thunder's leading candidate earned the Western Conference's Player of the Month award for March. In doing so, Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Hall of Fame guard Michael Jordan for winning the award three times in a single season. Jordan has only won it twice in the same campaign. However, SGA is on pace to tie MJ for his elite averages.

Gilgeous-Alexander is on pace to become only the second player in NBA history to average 30-plus points on at least 50% shooting, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and one block, per Thunder PR. Jordan did this twice throughout his career in 1987-88 and 1990-91. He won the MVP award in both seasons (1988, 1991), which accounted for two of the five he accumulated throughout his career.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.8 points on 52.2% shooting, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game this season. He's the odds-on favorite to win his first Most Valuable Player award, while Jokic, the league's reigning MVP with three to his name, is trailing as a close second.

Thunder’s Mark Daigneault on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ascension

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ascended to an MVP candidate. While Gilgeous-Alexander is having a Michael Jordan-like campaign, Daigneault said speed and recognizing what's always best for the team stand out most.

"The speed he's playing with; in transition, inside of actions, and on the catch is a huge jump," Daigneault said. "I think his defense has really improved over that time. At that time, he's a young player, he's in his second year; your scope as a player is narrow when you're in your second year. You're just trying to stay in the NBA, establish yourself, figure out how good you are. You tend to be tight. Over time, he's just widened that lens to where now I think he sees almost everything through a team lens."

For Daigneault, Gilgeous-Alexander's commitment to improving his teammates has led to tremendous growth.

"Despite the fact that he's on the doorstep of winning an MVP award last year and this year, he sees things through a broader lens, and sees things through the lens of the team," Daigneault added. "So, he makes incremental growth almost monthly, it seems. But if you zoom all the way back, it's a great question. The speed on offense, the impact on defense, and then the leadership, and team orientation, it's like night and day. He's really done an impressive job."

Mark Daigneault on the strides Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made with the Thunder:

"The speed he's playing with… his defense has really improved… now, I think he sees almost everything through a team lens despite the fact that he's on the doorstep of winning an MVP award" pic.twitter.com/nXiqYktSGY

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) March 30, 2025

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will look to extend their 10-game winning streak in Wednesday's matchup against the Pistons.

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