{"id":175164,"date":"2026-01-30T08:00:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=175164"},"modified":"2026-01-30T00:06:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T05:06:23","slug":"shai-struggles-can-cost-him-the-mvp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/30\/shai-struggles-can-cost-him-the-mvp\/","title":{"rendered":"Shai’s Struggles Can Cost Him the MVP"},"content":{"rendered":"

No time is better than now for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> to build a strong case to win the Most Valuable Player award this season. For starters, Nikola Jokic<\/a> is out with an injury, and Luka Doncic<\/a> isn’t just showing more consistent performances so far. However, Shai’s MVP campaign is definitely taking a hit with his struggles, and it may even cost him the season award if that tough stretch continues.<\/p>\n

Now more than ever, OKC is visibly struggling as well<\/a>. This starts with their leader, and if SGA continues to have poor stretches and inconsistent performances, he may end up losing the MVP this year. It’s an 82-game season. But this is the stretch where Gilgeous-Alexander should be pouring more elite performances to cement his spot.<\/p>\n

Shai’s Struggles Can Cost Him The MVP<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some tough losses, struggling to shoot the ball, and even missing out on winnable games. These are just some of the dilemmas that the Thunder are dealing with on top of many injuries<\/a>. Shai’s leadership has been necessary in these times. A lot of flaws of Oklahoma City have been exposed, and they’re yet to figure things out.<\/p>\n

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119th consecutive game of 20+ points for SGA pic.twitter.com\/CPMX8AIWEZ<\/a><\/p>\n

— \ud835\ude4e\ud835\ude60\ud835\ude6e\ud835\ude5a\ud835\ude59 \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa (@SkyedOKC) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n