The battle won, now comes the war. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2025-26 season, marking the second consecutive year he has received this esteemed honor. At 28 years old and in his eighth season, the Oklahoma City Thunder star from Hamilton, Ontario, joins an elite group of 16 players to have won multiple MVP awards, becoming just the 14th player in history to win back-to-back seasons.
In the MVP voting results announced on Sunday, Victor Wembanyama, the emerging superstar of the San Antonio Spurs, was expected to claim second place. However, he ended up finishing third, narrowly behind Nikola Jokic. This timing was significant, as the MVP voting preceded a high-stakes Western Conference Finals matchup between the Thunder and Spurs, two teams that have excelled throughout the regular season. Game 1 is set for 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcasted on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+.
With strong rosters and youthful talent, the Thunder and Spurs are anticipated to engage in numerous fierce battles in the coming years, hinting at the development of a great rivalry. Central to this rivalry are Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his combination of skill and relentless drive, and Wembanyama, whose unique physical attributes and discipline position him for potential greatness.
The Thunder are currently aiming to establish themselves as a dynasty, seeking to be the first team in eight years to repeat as NBA champions. Meanwhile, Wembanyama and the Spurs will need to contend with the Thunder to realize their ambitions. With his latest MVP win, Gilgeous-Alexander joins Canadian basketball legend Steve Nash as the only Canadians to win multiple MVP awards. Nash's back-to-back victories came in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s confidence has grown remarkably since he famously compared himself to Nash during a magazine interview before the 2021-22 season. At that time, he had yet to become an All-Star and played only 35 games due to injury the previous year. The Thunder had won just 22 games in the 2020-21 season and were expected to falter again the following year, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s subsequent development has exceeded all expectations.
Statistically, his 2025-26 season is among the finest in NBA history, as he averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals while demonstrating exceptional efficiency. He holds the distinction of achieving one of the only seasons with at least 31 points and 6.0 assists alongside a True Shooting percentage of 66.5 or better. His scoring consistency is reminiscent of Michael Jordan, who had similar streaks during his prime.
However, the MVP award is merely the first act of the drama unfolding between these future stars. The Thunder-Spurs rivalry promises to be a focal point in the NBA landscape, especially as these two teams prepare to face off. With the Spurs having had a successful regular season against the Thunder, winning four out of five matchups, the stakes are even higher for both teams as they enter the playoffs.
Wembanyama argued that he deserved MVP consideration, highlighting his defensive prowess and all-around skill set. His remarkable season saw him lead the league in blocked shots and significantly improve the Spurs’ performance, contributing to a record of 62 wins, a substantial increase from the previous year. His unanimous selection for the Defensive Player of the Year further solidifies his standing in the league.
As the rivalry intensifies, both stars aim to propel their teams to the NBA Finals, with the victor emerging as a heavy favorite against the competition from the Eastern Conference. With both players still in the early stages of their careers, the next few years will serve as a crucial period for establishing their legacies in the sport. Gilgeous-Alexander, having already achieved significant recognition, faces the relentless ascendance of Wembanyama and the Spurs in a captivating narrative that is just beginning to unfold.
