Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Poised to Join Elite Back-to-Back NBA MVP Club

As the 2025-26 NBA regular season draws to a close, the race for the league's most prestigious individual honor appears all but decided. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands as the overwhelming favorite to claim the Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year. According to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, SGA's historic performance has positioned him to join an exclusive group of just 13 players who have accomplished the rare feat of winning back-to-back MVP awards.

The Overwhelming Favorite

The statistical case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP candidacy is both compelling and nearly unassailable. As of April 9, 2026, SGA boasts staggering odds of -5000, meaning a $10 bet would return just $10.20 total. This reflects near-certainty among oddsmakers that the Thunder superstar will secure the award. His on-court performance provides ample justification for this confidence. Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the NBA in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game, while simultaneously leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the league's best record at 64-16. Furthermore, the team has already clinched the No. 1 overall seed throughout the upcoming postseason, a testament to his value as the cornerstone of a championship contender.

Historic Consistency

Beyond the basic statistics, SGA is authoring one of the most remarkable streaks of offensive consistency in NBA history. He has currently recorded 140 consecutive games with at least 20 points, setting a new all-time league record. This unprecedented run of scoring reliability underscores his night-in, night-out dominance and has been a driving force behind the Thunder's sustained excellence throughout the grueling 82-game schedule. This combination of elite individual production and team success forms the classic blueprint for an MVP season.

The Distant Competition

While SGA dominates the conversation, other notable players remain on the board, albeit with significantly longer odds. San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama sits at +2000. Wembanyama leads the league in blocks per game (3.1) and is the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. However, his MVP case is hampered by a potential eligibility issue; having played 63 games with two remaining, he risks falling short of the league's 65-game minimum for award eligibility if the Spurs, who have clinched the 2-seed, choose to rest him. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, a former MVP himself, is listed at +6000. Jokić is achieving a historic statistical feat by leading the league in both assists and rebounds in the same season, something no player has ever done. A 16-game absence due to injury, however, has effectively removed him from serious contention this year.

Joining an Exclusive Legacy

Winning the 2025-26 MVP award would elevate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into one of the most distinguished groups in basketball history. The list of players with consecutive MVP wins includes legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić. For SGA, this second award would not only affirm his status as the current best player in the world but also solidify his early trajectory toward the Basketball Hall of Fame. It represents the culmination of a season defined by historic individual streaks, elite team performance, and undeniable impact on both ends of the floor.

With the regular season finale approaching, all indicators point to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander securing his place among the NBA's immortal back-to-back MVP winners. His season is a masterclass in sustained excellence, proving that his first MVP was no fluke but rather the foundation for a legendary career.