Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Cousin Drops 'MVP' Comment After Nikola Jokic's 61-Point Eruption 10 Apr 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) controls the ball under pressure from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) as guard Jalen Pickett (24) defends in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Cousin Drops ‘MVP’ Comment After Nikola Jokic’s 61-Point Eruption

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 11:25 AM ET

Many believe that the Most Valuable Player race in the 2024-25 NBA season is a two-man race between Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, who is also the reigning league MVP.

On Tuesday night, with the Thunder idle, Jokic added to his case to win yet another Michael Jordan Trophy when he put up a performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves that will be talked about for a long time.

The Serbian put up a triple-double of 61 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, albeit in a 140-139 double-overtime loss to Minnesota.

Witnessing that spectacular performance firsthand was none other than Gilgeous-Alexander’s cousin and Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who could not deny the greatness he just saw from the three-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

“I mean, he’s making a good run for MVP,” Alexander-Walker said about Jokic after the game (h/t Dane Moore of Blue Wire).

Alexander-Walker also made sure to remind everyone whom he really is backing to win the Michael Jordan Trophy this season.

“You guys know who I got, but he’s making it tough, for sure. Star player that he is always making the right play, gotta respect it, gotta tip my hat to him.”

Will Oklahoma City Thunder star win the MVP over Jokic this time around?

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Cousin Drops 'MVP' Comment After Nikola Jokic's 61-Point Eruption 11 Mar 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Thunder star was the runner-up to Jokic in last year’s NBA MVP race and is once again a strong contender to win the award in the 2024-25 campaign.

Oklahoma is arguably the best team in the NBA right now, having locked the top seed in the Western Conference while also owning the best record in the league overall at 63-12 through 75 games. The former Kentucky Wildcats star is averaging 32.8 points, 6.4 assists nd 5.0 rebounds per game while Jokic is generating 29.7 points, 12.8 boards and 10.2 dimes per contest.

There is a chance that the Nuggets and the Thunder will also meet in the NBA Playoffs, so this intense MVP debate between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic should add drama to that potential matchup.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Cousin Drops 'MVP' Comment After Nikola Jokic's 61-Point Eruption 12 Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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