Health looms large. Gilgeous-Alexander needs key games to solidify MVP odds, but OKC prioritizes his championship readiness.
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar and reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear favorite to once again take home the NBA's top individual prize this season.
According to the latest Las Vegas odds, Gilgeous-Alexander has about a 76% chance to repeat as the league MVP. Denver Nuggets three time winner Nikola Jokic is currently in second place with 12% odds. Detroit Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham is considered the third strongest candidate with 7% odds and San Antonio Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama rounds out the top four candidates with 3% odds.
Seemingly, the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of Gilgeous-Alexander and pulling off the rare MVP repeat is health. It's considered a near certainty that the former Kentucky Wildcat will bring a second straight trophy back Oklahoma City if he meets the 65 game minimum games played requirement.
So where does Gilgeous-Alexander stand with 19 games remaining in the season?
After sitting out the first night of a road back to back against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, Gilgeous-Alexander has played 51 of 63 games. He will now need to play in 14 of the final 19 games to qualify for post season accolades such as MVP and All-NBA.
The biggest question going forward is whether the Thunder resting Gilgeous-Alexander on one side of a back to back will be the plan moving forward. Or was it just a one off move due to the recency of the ab strain and the fact that the Bulls did not win a single game in February?
Oklahoma City has three more back to back sets left to go over the next month and a half. If Gilgeous-Alexander misses one game for each set, that will leave him with a two game cushion. But of course, that's if he doesn't miss any other games.
One thing is for certain. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Gilgeous-Alexander will prioritize his health above all else. The ultimate goal for both the team and the player is winning back to back Larry O'Brien Trophies, not winning back to back Michael Jordan Trophies. And as deep and talented as OKC is up and down the roster, they cannot win a championship unless Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is at full health.
But if Gilgeous-Alexander is indeed in tip hop shape going into the playoffs, that means he's likely also going in as the back to back MVP winner.