Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has Ascended the 2026 NBA MVP Ladder

It’s over. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wrapped up the MVP conversation.

The Lead has been publishing a 2025-26 MVP ladder every two weeks. The first edition had Nikola Jokic as the front-runner for MVP, and he remained there until his injury. When Jokic returned to the ladder, he was No. 2 with some hope of regaining the top spot. That hope is gone.

SGA’s Historic Game

There is no more argument about who deserves to win the MVP. On March 9, Gilgeous-Alexander finished a game with multiple headline-worthy accomplishments. A game-winning three, while scoring 35 points on 66.7% shooting, along with 15 assists, and was one rebound shy of his first triple-double since 2021.

He tied Wilt Chamberlain‘s 20-point streak at 126 games, and did it all while committing zero turnovers. He hit 13,000 career points in this game as well. And, for all the haters, SGA only attempted four free throws.

This was all against Jokic, the only person who was capable of catching him. Jokic brought a tightly contested game within one point, then Gilgeous-Alexander hit a three. Jokic answered back with a three-pointer of his own, and Jamal Murray added in a game-tying free throw after a loose-ball foul.

Three seconds left, all-tied up, SGA nails the winning three.

This game was the culmination of the entire MVP race. Jokic closed the gap while Gilgeous-Alexander was injured, then SGA returned and separated again. 

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Gilgeous-Alexander’s Historic Season

This game was also the culmination of Gilgeous-Alexander’s entire season. This all happened on the night he tied Chamberlain’s 20-point record, something that was two seasons in the making. It was also another 30-point game on over 50% shooting, something only Gilgeous-Alexander can do from the guard position.

He is also averaging the third-best single-season true shooting percentage for a guard in NBA history, and is the only person other than Stephen Curry in the top five.

SGA has averaged 30+ points per game on 50% shooting for four straight seasons. That doesn’t put him in Chamberlain or Curry conversations; that puts him in Michael Jordan conversations. For how good SGA was last season, he’s even better this year.

Sometimes, it feels as if people don’t understand what they are watching. Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just a great scorer or an elite scorer; he is one of the best scorers in NBA history. He’s the best scoring guard since Curry, while being more efficient than Kevin Durant, who has multiple 50/40/90 seasons. 

If SGA’s offense is what makes him an all-time player, his defense is what separates him as a decade-defining player. He’s third in opponent paint field goal percentage this season out of all guards. He is also part of one of the best defensive lineups in the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be a better offensive player than Jokic, while being a drastically better defender at his position.

There’s no reason to write MVP ladders for the rest of the season. Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP, barring injury, and is the best player in the NBA. He should be the front-runner at the start of next year, with the opportunity to be the first player since Larry Bird to win three-straight MVPs.