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Analyst still believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is MVP favorite

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Why Brian Windhorst believes Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP favorite

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 4:43 PM ET

As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, they will have the defending MVP back on the floor.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is cleared to return from an abdominal strain that forced him to miss the last nine games, a stretch during which the West-leading Thunder (45-15) went 5-4. With the San Antonio Spurs (43-16) right on their heels for the top spot, this gives the Thunder a huge shot in the arm as they head into their final 22 games.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, in particular, he returns to action in a position to repeat as league MVP. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, he should still be the favorite to win the award despite the games that he has missed.

Brian Windhorst is all for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning MVP

"He is still my MVP," Windhorst said when asked what his return means for his chances of winning the award on Friday's edition of "Get Up." "I think he's had a fabulous season. I think Oklahoma City is just an incredibly formidable opponent. I know they've lost some games recently, but I have watched their guys, seven, eight, nine, 10 on the roster, blossom in this opportunity. I think Oklahoma City is still (in) a great position and I still have Shai as my No. 1."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is “still” @WindhorstESPN's NBA MVP pic.twitter.com/hUbt4ySbSb
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 27, 2026

With an average of the second-most points per game in the NBA (31.8 PPG), this is the fourth consecutive season that Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged at least 30 points. He is also putting up 4.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists and shooting an efficient 55.4 percent from the floor.

He has scored at least 30 points in 34 games this season, scoring as many as 55 in an early-season tilt with the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 23. Bottom line, this should be Gilgeous-Alexander's award to lose, but there is something to keep an eye on down the stretch.

The league has a rule requiring you to play in 65 games to qualify for end-of-season awards. Gilgeous-Alexander (-250) is the MVP favorite according to DraftKings, followed by Nikola Jokic (+425), Cade Cunningham (+700), Victor Wembanyama (+2500) and Jaylen Brown (+4000), but most of them could be impacted by that rule.

While Cunningham and Brown still have 11 games they can afford to miss, Gilgeous-Alexander can only miss six more, while Jokic can only be sidelined for one, meaning the MVP race is not just as simple as what a player accomplishes on the floor and how important they are to their team.

There are still plenty of games left to be played, but as long as Gilgeous-Alexander appears in enough of them and does not fall prey to the league's 65-game rule, this should be his award to lose for the second consecutive season.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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