Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ‘MVP of the NBA,’ Edwards says

OKLAHOMA CITY – Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards, beaming with admiration for an All-NBA rival, didn’t hesitate when asked about Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“MVP of the NBA,” Edwards told ESPN.

The season hasn’t reached the halfway point yet, but Edwards has seen enough to declare that Gilgeous-Alexander should be on his way to winning his first MVP award after finishing as the runner-up last season.

In fact, Edwards saw way too much from Gilgeous-Alexander during the Thunder’s 113-105 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Paycom Center. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points on 15-of-23 shooting, including 19 points in the third quarter, as Oklahoma City took control of the game.

It was the 12th straight win for the Thunder, a streak that does not include the NBA Cup Final loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, which did not count as a regular season game. Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 33.4 points on 56.6% shooting from the field during the longest streak since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City.

“I feel like I’m flowing, like the game just comes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I don’t push, I don’t think, just out there and jump. The hard work pays off.”

Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the league in scoring (31.3 points) and second in steals (2.0) for the 27-5 Thunder, who have the Western Conference’s best record and the NBA’s top-ranked defense. He is shooting 52.8% from the field while also averaging 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 blocks.

It’s the ease with which Gilgeous-Alexander scores that admires Edwards.

“To me, he’s unprotected,” Edwards said. “As far as any one-on-one matchup, yeah, you can go ahead and give it up. Just give him two points most of the time. So I think you have to catch him. Maybe it doesn’t work , but You have to try it. You definitely have to send another body, especially if he got a good matchup, when he knows he can’t guard him, he will score every time.

Edwards acknowledged that three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 31.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 9.5 assists for the 18-13 Denver Nuggets, is also building a quality case again. But Edwards is adamant that Gilgeous-Alexander should be considered the MVP front-runner.

“I don’t know if they could give it to (Jokic) again,” said Edwards, who had 20 points in the loss. “Yeah, I’d say Shai. Yeah, he looks like the MVP, man. He was incredible again tonight.

“He’s consistent every night. His team will give him the ball and just let him rock out every night. It’s a no-brainer. ‘Hey, give Shai the ball and he’ll hustle and we’ll figure it out out for it.’ I love to see that, man. If he keeps him like that, I hope they give (the MVP) to him this year.”

Gilgeous-Alexander was flattered to receive such praise from a competitor of Edwards’ stature.

“No offense to you guys in the media, but the best satisfaction is when your peers and the guys who are doing the same thing at a very high level recognize and respect your craft and your talent,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s a really good feeling. Obviously the caliber of player he is, the sky’s the limit. Hard fought game tonight.”