Over the last week, Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 48 points on the Pistons (and Cade Cunningham), then followed up with 31 (and eight assists vs. one turnover) on the Bucks (and Giannis Antetokounmpo). Both were victories and in those games against two players on the Kia MVP Ladder and he was the most important player on the floor.

If you look at the betting markets, the race for the 2024-25 NBA MVP isn't particularly close. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is listed as a -850 favorite at a handful of books. Nuggets big man and three-time MVP winner Nikola Jokić is seen as a 4-to-1 or 5-to-1 underdog.

Jokić: Nuggets are 44-26, fourth in the West. On pace for roughly 51-52 wins. SGA: Thunder are 57-12, first in the West. On pace for roughly 67-68 wins.