The battle for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is heating up, and fans are treated to a thrilling spectacle as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Nikola Jokic, the Serbian center for the Denver Nuggets, go head-to-head in a rivalry that shows no signs of slowing down. Every impressive performance by one is matched by an equally stunning display from the other, creating a sporting frenzy that’s likely to persist until the end of the regular season.
Just last Friday, Jokic stole the spotlight with a historic achievement, posting 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists in the Nuggets’ overtime win against the Suns (149-141). This incredible stat line, never before seen in the league’s history, has set the bar high for his rival. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was quick to respond, delivering a sublime performance with 40 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets, outshining Jokic, who narrowly missed a triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistent brilliance has made him the league’s top scorer, averaging 32.8 points per game. He’s already reached the 30-point mark in 40 games this season, a feat he’s achieved in three consecutive campaigns, a streak not seen since Michael Jordan’s heyday. Jordan had seven consecutive seasons with at least 40 games of 30 points or more between 1986 and 1993, a record that still stands, albeit with the caveat that he could have extended it had he not retired prematurely in 1993.
The current crop of players has struggled to match Jordan’s longevity at the top. While James Harden and Joel Embiid have both achieved two seasons with 40 games of 30 points or more, no one has come close to Gilgeous-Alexander’s three-year streak. The likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Stephen Curry have all fallen short of this milestone.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most games with at least 30 points in a single season, with an astonishing 78 games in the 1961-1962 campaign. He also occupies the second spot on this list with 72 games in the 1962-1963 season, followed by Jordan, who had 67 games with 30 points or more in the 1986-1987 season. Among active players, James Harden boasts the highest mark, with 57 games of 30 points or more in the 2018-2019 season. Although he’s now 35 and in the twilight of his career, Harden has still managed to produce standout performances, including a 50-point game against Detroit, 43 points against the Wizards, and 40 points against the Bucks.
As the season enters its final stretch, the race for the MVP award is far from over. With the Thunder leading the Western Conference (53-11) and the Nuggets third (41-23), Gilgeous-Alexander’s chances of claiming the coveted trophy seem to be gaining momentum. His team’s superior position, combined with his exceptional individual performances, might just tip the scales in his favor. However, Jokic and the Nuggets are sure to push him to the limit, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to this captivating NBA season.