Nikola Jokic’s Ex-Coach Mike Malone Picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP

Mike Malone backed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's case to win the back-to-back NBA MVP honors.

Nikola Jokic’s Ex-Coach Mike Malone Picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP

Mike Malone on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Mike Malone has chosen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his MVP pick over other top candidates.
  • SGA is currently averaging 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season.
  • The MVP race is tight, with Victor Wembanyama leading the standings and just six games remaining.

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone picked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic to win the MVP award this season. All four players have been dominant throughout the 2025-26 campaign, but only SGA has consistently been in the top three of the MVP Ladder since the start of the season.

Mike Malone, an ESPN analyst, explained his case for why SGA deserves back-to-back honors.

He’s proven himself to be the best clutch player in the NBA… He has a chance to be the first guard ever to average 30 PPG and shoot 55%… No disrespect to Wemby, Nikola Jokic, everybody else. I think SGA is incredible in his ability to impact the game in all shapes and forms.

Mike Malone on NBA Countdown

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a historic 2024-25 campaign where he lifted the NBA championship, Finals MVP, regular season MVP, and the scoring title. And the Canadian international has shown no signs of slowing down this season.

Victor Wembanyama leads the MVP Ladder with less than two weeks to go in the regular season. SGA is currently second in the standings. The Frenchman pushed himself for the award after giving three reasons as to why he deserves to win it this year. It seemed to have worked as he surpassed SGA in the rankings since.

SGA is second in points per game at the moment, behind Doncic. He is currently averaging 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists and is shooting at 55.3% from the field. He is on course to average 30+ points in four consecutive seasons, which has not been achieved since Michael Jordan. His numbers this season have seen pundits and analysts put him in the same tier as Jordan.

It is a tight race for the MVP award this season. It will go down to the wire, and with just six games to go, Mike Malone has SGA as his MVP, echoing the statements of Carmelo Anthony.

Brian Windhorst on the MVP race

Since topping the MVP Ladder last week, Wembanyama has been on a tear. He is coming off back-to-back 40-point games. In his latest outing against the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs center recorded another double as he scored 41 points to go along with 18 rebounds and three blocks in just 29 minutes.

American sportswriter for ESPN.com Brian Windhorst is giving his vote to SGA in the MVP race.

I am very cognizant of what Victor Wembanyama is doing and I am very interested in what he could do in this postseason in what could be potentially historic run. SGA is the guy I’ve got in there right now but I’m not gonna lie to you: I am worried that when it gets announced in June that people who didn’t put Wemby in the top line could have some explaining to do.

Brian Windhorst on Sportscenter

The Spurs are just two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder with just six games to go. Thunder staying at the top may play a role in deciding the MVP for many voters, but with Wembanyama putting up such performances, it may be one of the closest MVP races in a long time.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lets his game do the talking

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a 40-point game himself on Monday night. The reigning MVP scored 47 points against the Detroit Pistons and shot at 63% from the field. The win improved the Thunder’s record to 60-16, which is the best in the league.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against the Wolves
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image via ESPN/X)

Following the win, SGA was asked if he would like to make a case for the MVP like Wembanyama did a few days ago. SGA replied:

Nah, I’m good. Thanks for asking, though…I let my game do the talking.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in his post-match press conference

SGA will be taking on Luka Doncic twice and Nikola Jokic once in the remaining six games of the regular season. If the Thunder guard can put up strong performances in those games, he will have a good chance of winning his second MVP award.

Also Read: