Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells (0) after the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 117-115 in Game 4 to win the first-round NBA playoff series at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

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‘Dropping 25 and 30 Every Single Game Has To Mean Something’- Adam Lefkoe On Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is His Preference To Win MVP 2024-25

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the three finalists for NBA MVP Award 2024-25.

Sports analyst Adam Lefkoe revealed the reason he voted for Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win the NBA MVP for 2024-25 season. Lefkoe, the co-host of the The Big Podcast with Shaq, told former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal that he has voted for SGA, revealing the reason behind the same.

During the show, former NBA star Dwight Howard, Shaq and Lefkoe were discussing the potential NBA 2025 MVP. While Shaq was rooting for Denver Nuggets’ star center, Nikola Jokic, Lekoe said that he prefers the Thunder star.

Heaping praise on SGA, he said, “I voted for Sheay. I voted for SGA. And the reason is winning the West by that many games and being the guy that’s dropping 25 and 30 every single night has to mean something.” Notably, SGA is one of the three finalists for this year’s MVP Award, along with the Joker, and Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lefkoe explains why he voted for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP 👀

Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up using promo code BIGPOD – the crown is yours. pic.twitter.com/BTYfudnMlp
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) April 27, 2025

Why is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Favorite For Winning MVP Award 2025?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished runner-up for the 2023-24 MVP Award, was leading the charts right from the beginning. While Nikola Jokic gave him a tough competition, it was SGA, who emerged on the top, and is favorite to take the trophy home. The Toronto-born was dominant all season and led his side to more wins than other teams. The Thunder topped the Western Conference with a staggering record of 68 wins and 14 losses.

Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Recalls Endearing MVP Moment With Kobe Bryant, Reveals Why Black Mamba Thanked Him

The star point guard was indeed the biggest reason OKC won, and recorded a historic season. While he has slimmest of edges over Jokic, who is often regarded as one of the finest players in the game, Gilgeous-Alexander finished the season as the leading scorer in the league.

Apart from it, he finished the season with 51.9% in field goal percentage, he has 89.8% in field throws. He sits second on the list of steals, making a strong case for one of the All-Defensive teams.

SGA was a strong candidate last year and has followed it with a better season this year. He has made an impact on the floor and made his way up in the standings. In addition, he is highly likely to be adjudged the NBA MVP 2025 with favorable odds of +175 on BetMGM, whereas the Joker has odds of +5000.

Also Read: LeBron James Disgusted: “The Hand Is Part of the Ball, That’s What They Say”

Adam Lefkoe

NBA MVP

Shai Gilgeous Alexander

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.