Michael Malone Makes Clear Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP Statement After Thunder-Timberwolves Game 1

While Shai had an incredible performance, the rest of the Thunder’s roster also came up huge down the stretch including Jalen Williams who ended the game with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists and Chet Holmgren who added 15 points and seven rebounds of his own.

Shai was able to take over in the second half of Game 1 on Tuesday night after he struggled shooting the ball in the first half, leading the Thunder to a crucial victory on their home court.

After the game, former Denver Nuggets head coach and current ESPN analyst Michael Malone made a clear statement regarding Shai along with his chances to win the 2024-25 NBA MVP award.

“(Shai) showed why he's the MVP,” Malone said after the Thunder’s victory in Game 1 over the Timberwolves on Tuesday.

This was a clear statement by Malone and one that somewhat comes as a surprise as Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets is also a finalist for the MVP award this season.

Malone was in full support of Jokic winning his fourth MVP award for most of the season but that has clearly changed after Denver fired him late in the season.

Either way, Shai has put together an incredible season and he is the favorite to take home the MVP award and he had another MVP caliber performance in Game 1 on Tuesday night.