Thunder’s Chet Holmgren Hypes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA MVP After Playoff Win

Chet Holmgren let the world know.

After the Oklahoma City Thunder jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the New Orleans Pelicans in their first-round matchup with Wednesday’s 124-92 victory, the big man took the microphone during his postgame interview and said, “he’s too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here. MVP of the league.”

He was talking about teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dominated the Pelicans on the way to 33 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals behind 13-of-19 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from deep.

Whenever it appeared like New Orleans would climb back into the game, Gilgeous-Alexander glided past the defense to get to the rim, drilled an outside shot or even set up teammates when needed.

He was unstoppable and efficient, which was a combination that never gave the Pelicans a chance.

Gilgeous-Alexander was named a finalist for the MVP alongside Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. While he looked like the MVP during Wednesday’s performance, Jokić seems to be in the driver’s seat and finished the season atop NBA.com’s MVP ladder.

That would give him three MVPs in the last four years, underscoring his individual dominance and current status as the best player in the league.

But the 25-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander certainly looks like someone who will win one at some point during his career.