As the 2025-26 NBA regular season winds down, the MVP race is heating up, and Isiah Thomas has stirred the pot with his recent comments. Thunder fans might not be thrilled with his take, but it’s certainly sparked conversation.
On FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, Thomas narrowed the MVP contenders down to two: Victor Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown. He acknowledged Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive contributions but pointed to the Thunder's depth as a factor in his exclusion.
Thomas emphasized the MVP criteria of considering where a team would stand without a key player. He highlighted how Jaylen Brown stepped up when Jayson Tatum was sidelined, and how crucial Wembanyama is to San Antonio's success.
However, dismissing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impact seems a bit shortsighted. Despite OKC's depth, his influence on the court is undeniable. Gilgeous-Alexander isn't just the standout player on a top-tier team; he's crafting one of the most efficient seasons ever for someone averaging over 30 points.
In 61 games, Shai is putting up 31.5 points, 6.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, with career-high shooting percentages of 55.7% from the field and 39.3% from three. His true shooting percentage of 67.0% is on the verge of surpassing Stephen Curry’s 2015-16 record for a 30-point-per-game season-an MVP year for Curry.
Beyond these stats, Shai leads the league in clutch points, plus-minus, and surpasses Thomas' MVP picks in player efficiency rating (PER). The Thunder's point differential skyrockets when he's on the floor, underscoring his value.
While some might argue OKC's roster depth diminishes Shai's MVP case, a closer look at his contributions reveals just how pivotal he is to the Thunder's league-leading success at 57-16. His season is a testament to his extraordinary talent and impact, making him a formidable contender for his second consecutive MVP title.