The Oklahoma City Thunder are waiting to play the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday, but superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t have to wait any longer to find out if he won his second straight NBA MVP award. The news was announced on Sunday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Breaking: Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award, becoming the 14th player in league history to win back-to-back MVPs, multiple sources tell ESPN,” he reported.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in the NBA with 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting (38.6% 3-point), adding 4.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists over 33.2 minutes (68 games). The 6-foot-6, 195-pounder is the first player to win back-to-back MVPs since Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in 2021 and 2022 and the first guard to do so since Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry in 2015 and 2016.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander could join even more exclusive company if he’s named MVP again next season. The only players who have won the award in three consecutive seasons are Bill Russell (1961-63), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-68), and Larry Bird (1984-86).
The biggest roadblock to Gilgeous-Alexander accomplishing that feat is likely Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old was an MVP finalist along with Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic this season, and he’s still improving. He’s also more of a two-way presence than his fellow finalists, as he won Defensive Player of the Year honors this year and averaged 25 points on 51.2% shooting (34.9% 3-point) with 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.1 blocks and one steal over 29.2 minutes (64 games). He finished fourth in rebounds and first in blocks.
The upcoming conference finals matchup won’t affect regular-season awards, but will show who is truly on top.
Thunder-Spurs Will Clarify Current NBA Era
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
As of now, Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player on the NBA’s best team. The native Canadian won Finals MVP honors after leading Oklahoma City to a title last season, and the squad topped the NBA at 64-18 this year. It also swept the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers in the first and second rounds of the 2026 playoffs, respectively.
Meanwhile, San Antonio had the NBA’s second-best record at 62-20 this season before beating the Portland Trail Blazers in five games and the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games during the first and second rounds, respectively. If it eliminates the Thunder, it’ll keep the league’s parity era alive, as there hasn’t been a back-to-back champion since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. But if Oklahoma City wins both the conference finals and the finals, it could become the next dynasty.
Monday’s matchup tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
Related: Thunder HC Mark Daigneault Has 1 Word To Describe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Historic Run
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
