{"id":168924,"date":"2025-12-05T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=168924"},"modified":"2025-12-05T01:35:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T06:35:34","slug":"sga-consistency-underrated-mvp-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/05\/sga-consistency-underrated-mvp-factor\/","title":{"rendered":"SGA&#8217;s Consistency Is An Underrated MVP Factor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Luck continues to favor <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilgesh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> and the Oklahoma City Thunder as they continue to grind for bigger wins. While teamwork is making the dream work, it cannot be denied that the reigning MVP is doing a lot of work. SGA&#8217;s consistency this season with the Thunder is off the charts, yet it is an <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/11\/shai-gilgeous-alexander-top-mvp-candidate-so-far\/\" target=\"_self\">underrated part of his MVP run in 2025-26.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For what it is worth, Oklahoma City is cruising for a promising season. They could go 81-1 at best, and some are hopeful they can <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/10\/13\/is-okc-capable-reaching-70-wins-2025-26\/\" target=\"_self\">beat the 73-9 Warriors<\/a>. A huge part of this successful season is SGA being able to perform at a high level &#8212; even better than what he&#8217;s been able to produce last year.<\/p>\n<h2>SGA&#8217;s Consistency Is An Underrated MVP Factor<\/h2>\n<p>For what it&#8217;s worth, the MVP race is yet to favor SGA once again after the start of the regular season. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokicni01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Jokic<\/a> has been gunning hard with some impressive performances of his own. While SGA remains consistent in his games, it&#8217;s safe to say that his consistency would be a promising mark that <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/10\/16\/a-back-to-back-sga-mvp-campaign-is-going-to-be-historic\/\" target=\"_self\">should vault him up in the MVP race<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Gilgeous-Alexander&#8217;s Consistency is Unreal<\/h3>\n<p>From sitting out fourth quarters, scoring 30+ points a night, and never dropping below 20 points, SGA is on another level. We have seen the reigning MVP deliver night in and night out. No Thunder player has scored more than what SGA has done every game, which proves his consistent level of play.<\/p>\n<p>Now more than ever, we are seeing the Canadian star <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/30\/sga-mvp-campaign-2025-26\/\" target=\"_self\">emerge on another level of play<\/a>. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 94 straight games. That is already the 2nd-longest streak in NBA history behind only <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chambwi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wilt Chamberlain<\/a>, and he is not slowing down. The fact that the Thunder are on a 13-game winning streak under his lead is astounding.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Consistency on another level \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<p>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 93 straight games\u2026 the 2nd-longest streak in NBA history behind only Wilt Chamberlain!<\/p>\n<p>SGA and the Thunder are one of just four teams ever to start a season 20-1 or better. They look to extend\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sJy6SEU1JV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/sJy6SEU1JV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA\/status\/1995548624944857221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 1, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>He is consistent in driving to the rim, scoring off contact with contested jumpers, and so on. In fact, we are seeing the best statistical season from him. That&#8217;s one of the hallmarks of being an MVP candidate again.<\/p>\n<h3>SGA is Matching with Clutch Consistency<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_165947\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-165947\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-165947\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Nov 5, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) as teammate Thunder\u2019s center\/forward Isaiah Hartenstein (55) watches during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27516096_168402037_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-165947\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nov 5, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) as teammate Thunder\u2019s center\/forward Isaiah Hartenstein (55) watches during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While OKC is winning big in its games with a huge differential, it cannot be denied that they are also winning even in tight games. For starters, OKC is 9-1 in clutch games this season. In most of those games, it&#8217;s Shai who is dropping the bombs with his impressive clutch-time performances.<\/p>\n<p>Now more than ever, we are seeing a promising version of his evolving game. He has grown from being a volume shooter from the paint, and now drills threes as well. In fact, SGA is shooting 43.4% from three this season, which is the best he&#8217;s had in that field so far.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Since the start of last season, SGA has a +25.2 net rating and a 129.4 offensive rating WITHOUT any of Chet, JDub, or Hartenstein on the floor in 898 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Insane<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Max (@PlayThompson18) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PlayThompson18\/status\/1996403365203603709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Not impressed? He is inching close to the fabled 50\/40\/90 club. The reigning MVP is averaging his career-highs of 54.8% FG, 43.4% 3PT FG, and 87.9% FT. That growth and steady performances for the Thunder by SGA are giving them an edge that they already have. Sure, we are seeing video game numbers from Jokic, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/doncilu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luka Doncic<\/a>, and even <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/antetgi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>, but nothing beats SGA&#8217;s importance with his strong play.<\/p>\n<h3>Still the Top MVP Pick<\/h3>\n<p>Regardless of the latest KIA Race to the MVP ladder, SGA should and is the definite pick to win the MVP this year. It cannot be denied that his importance to the Thunder is at a high level. His elite level of play is also proving a lot for his case as the best player in the game.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, MVP is all about making the best impact for your team. Considering that OKC is winning it all right now, SGA&#8217;s case should definitely shine brighter. This doesn&#8217;t need any more discussion at all. Let Oklahoma City&#8217;s record speak for SGA&#8217;s success.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">SGA is out in front of the MVP race according to Polymarket.<\/p>\n<p>Is he really going back to back? \ud83d\udc40 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WQgw081AZt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/WQgw081AZt<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheDunkCentral\/status\/1996671880917295400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>After all, the last time we had a 21-1 team or closer, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Curry<\/a> ended up with the unanimous MVP. That&#8217;s when the Warriors went for the 73-9 record. Now that the Thunder may even surpass that feat, it&#8217;s easy to expect that SGA will also bag the MVP.<\/p>\n<p>Featured Image: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Luck continues to favor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder as they continue to grind for bigger wins. While teamwork is making the dream work, it cannot be denied that the reigning MVP is doing a lot of work. SGA&#8217;s consistency this season with the Thunder is off the charts, yet it is an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5536,"featured_media":166502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,22],"tags":[1489],"class_list":["post-168924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-thunder","tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander"],"modified_by":"Benjamin Yu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5536"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=168924"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168924\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168954,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168924\/revisions\/168954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/166502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=168924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=168924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=168924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}