Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been crowned NBA Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, becoming one of the rare players in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards at a young age.
The award was announced on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with the ceremony attended by Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett and head coach Mark Daigneault.
Historic achievement for the Thunder guard
With this latest honor, Gilgeous-Alexander becomes:
- The 14th player in NBA history to win consecutive MVP awards
- One of only a select group of players to win multiple MVPs before the age of 28
- The seventh player in over four decades to achieve that feat
He now joins an elite list of legends including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Tim Duncan.
Dominant season leading the league
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another standout season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, helping them secure the best record in the NBA for a second straight year at 64–18.
His individual performance included:
- 31.1 points per game (second-highest in the league)
- Career-best 55.3% field goal shooting
- 6.6 assists per game (a personal high)
He also finished in the top five of MVP voting for four consecutive seasons, showing consistent elite-level performance.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the winner of the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
The complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ki6ZYk5Tq9
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 17, 2026
Leadership behind Oklahoma City’s success
The Thunder guard has played a central role in transforming Oklahoma City into one of the league’s strongest teams, leading them deep into the playoffs and into the Western Conference Finals.
The team is now preparing for a high-profile matchup against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
“Grateful to be in this conversation”
After receiving the award, Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on his place among basketball greats, saying he does not take the recognition lightly and considers it a privilege to be mentioned alongside legends who shaped the game.
His rise continues to cement him as one of the defining players of the modern NBA era.
