Anthony Edwards makes bold claim about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP chances amid Thunder’s winning streak

Following the OKC Thunder's victory over the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards made a major claim about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's play.

Anthony Edwards makes bold claim about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP chances amid Thunder’s winning streak

Anthony Edwards made a bold claim about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Anthony Edwards is no stranger to headlines, whether for his electrifying performances on the court or his unfiltered comments off it. His latest remarks, however, were more complimentary than controversial. Following the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 113-105 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on New Year’s Eve, Edwards gave Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander his crowning moment.

The comment came after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s masterclass against the Timberwolves, where he dropped 40 points on an efficient 15-of-23 shooting. OKC used a dominant third quarter, fueled by 19 points from SGA, to turn the tide and secure their 12th consecutive victory. For Edwards, the game was yet another example of why the Thunder star deserves to be at the forefront of the MVP conversation.

“The MVP of the NBA… To me, he’s unguardable… As far as any one-on-one matchup, yeah, you can go on and give it up. Just give him two points most of the time… I feel like he should have won it last year, but he’s playing out his mind right now,”

Edwards told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon
YouTube video

Anthony Edwards’ praise is a testament to the matchup nightmare that Gilgeous-Alexander poses to opposing teams. His ability to score in isolation, navigate double-teams, and exploit mismatches makes him one of the league’s most versatile offensive threats. Against Minnesota, SGA showcased his signature blend of craft and efficiency.

The Thunder, now sitting atop the Western Conference at 27-5, are thriving under Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership and are on pace for a franchise-best 69-win season with their ongoing 12-game winning streak. As for SGA, he is immersed in a tight battle in the MVP race with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who caught the wrong end of the stick in the AntMan’s praise for SGA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to MVP praise from Anthony Edwards

Hearing Anthony Edwards’ high praise was clearly meaningful to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As two of the rising stars, both players represent the next generation of NBA talent. Edwards’ recognition carried weight, not only because of his status but also because it came from a peer competing at the highest level.

“No offense to you guys in the media, but the best satisfaction is when your peers and the guys that do the same thing for a living at a very high level that you do recognize and respect your craft and your talent. That’s a really good feeling. Obviously the caliber player he is, the sky’s the limit. Hard-fought battle tonight,”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said of Edwards’ comments

With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, Oklahoma City’s surge has also positioned him as the MVP favorite in the betting markets. As of New Year’s Day, he holds the top spot on the MVP ladder according to multiple sportsbooks, ahead of Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performances, he has been on a scoring tear, with three 40-point games in his last five outings. His December averages of 33.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.5 steals on stellar shooting splits (56.3/36.6/91.0) solidified his status as one of the league’s elite.

Should SGA win, he would join Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only Thunder players to claim the league’s most prestigious individual award. While there is still more than half a season left to play, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s combination of individual brilliance and team success has set a strong foundation for his MVP case.