Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another feather in his cap in this year’s MVP race by excelling in a 127-123 Thunder win over the Celtics. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA and came into the game with a 26-5 record, but fell short of the Thunder despite a big comeback which saw them come back from an 18-point deficit. Fans loved the game and think Shai is solidifying his MVP case.
Energy fueled the battle âš¡ pic.twitter.com/p46gcNkZCg
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 3, 2024
Fans weren’t surprised that Shai continued his MVP form against the Celtics.
New Year, same MVP outing for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. pic.twitter.com/vnlldqUDxy
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) January 3, 2024
Fans hailed Shai for excelling against a defensive team like the Celtics.
36 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds and 1 steal on 72% TS against the NBA's 2nd-ranked defense for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Got to his spots against every defender Boston threw at him and continues to thrive in the smallest of spaces. Special, special player.
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 3, 2024
Fans think Shai may be unstoppable after Jrue Holiday and Derrick White failed to slow him down.
If a combo of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday cant slow down Shai then idk who can
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) January 3, 2024
Some fans are going as far as to say Shai is the best Canadian in NBA history, putting him ahead of Steve Nash.
I’m ready to say Shai is Canadas best ever.
I’m also ready to mute this tweet and and any mentions
— i. adan (@Imman_Adan) January 3, 2024
A few fans were unimpressed with Shai, especially after he disappeared in the fourth quarter.
Shai gonna post a corny IG caption because he hit 2 FTs after going ghost the whole 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/VdxqmGcb7D
— Mike (@MikeAdxx) January 3, 2024
A clip of Shai giving White buckets gave fans even more hope in saying he’s the best player in the NBA.
https://twitter.com/PlayoffShai/status/1742378027798188060
Fans believe the OKC Thunder are the best team in the NBA after proving that with this win.
https://twitter.com/PlayoffShai/status/1742380633807298810
This was a team effort by the Thunder, who were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 36 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Josh Giddey had 23 points with eight rebounds, and six assists, while Chet Holmgren had 14 points, seven assists, and four blocks. Jalen Williams had 16 points with three steals while Isaiah Joe added 10 points off the bench.
The Celtics’ lack of depth haunted them. Kristaps Porzingis led them in scoring with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks while Jayson Tatum dropped 30 points with 13 rebounds and eight assists. Derrick White had 19 points with five rebounds and six assists, with Jaylen Brown adding 15 points. They got a total of 18 points from their bench, as the starting five outplayed the Thunder through the fourth quarter but had fallen far too back to make a comeback.
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander The MVP Frontrunner?
The OKC Thunder are having a phenomenal season, jumping out to a 23-9 record after tonight’s win. They’re the second seed in the West and just 1.5 games behind the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves. It seems the Thunder can stay in the mix for the top seed as long as Shai remains healthy. He’s levelled up after being named First Team All-NBA last season, averaging 31.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
Shai has been in the race for NBA MVP since the start of the season but has ranked behind the likes of Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo while remaining ahead of Luka Doncic. At this point, Shai has a fantastic argument to be either No. 1 or No. 2 in the race given the Thunder’s emergence atop the NBA and his two-way skills that are catapulting that success.
With Joel Embiid at risk of missing eligibility for the MVP with only 11 missed games available to him, Shai could emerge and win the award if that happens. Statistically, Embiid is slightly ahead of Shai still while leading a 76ers team that traded its second-best player away. Embiid is averaging 34.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists but will stay wary of Shai possibly ruining his bid for a second consecutive MVP.
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