These two players' stats could decide 2025 NBA MVP race tonight
These two players' stats could decide 2025 NBA MVP race tonight
Editor's note: The NBA MVP award is voted on by 100 members of the media, chosen by the league. Voting takes places before the postseason. USA TODAY Sports reporter Jeff Zillgitt has a vote.
Oklahoma City Thunder's all-star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets' all-star center Nikola Jokić are considered the front runners for 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player award. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, a finalist, is also part of the conversation.
The NBA MVP award winner will be announced Wednesday, May 21, before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals (7 p.m. ET, TNT).
When comparing the front runners' stats, the choice isn't as clear as some previous years have been.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-best and career-high 32.7 points, and also led the league with 7.9 free throws made per game. On the other hand, Jokić filled out the stat lines: He averaged 29.6 points – third behind Antetokounmpo – while averaging double-digit rebounds (3rd) and assists (2nd).
How Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić compare
How Gilgeous-Alexander's shot selection compares with Jokić's
Gilgeous-Alexander took 292 more shot attempts than Jokić and scored more points. But while Gilgeous-Alexander played in six more games than Jokić, each player played about the same number of minutes:
How Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić compare with advanced metrics
Jokić led the league in triple-doubles (34) and was No. 1 in player efficiency rating (PER) – a measurement of players positive and negative plays – with a rating of 32.12, which was the second-highest of his career.
Gilgeous-Alexander's PER was second-best at 30.73. It's rare for a guard to reach a PER of of at least 30. James Harden in 2018-19 was the last guard to top 30. Gilgeous-Alexander's mark is the second-highest of any guard in the past decade, trailing Steph Curry's 31.56 in 2015-16.
How Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić compare in total points
Gilgeous-Alexander's 2,484 points this season were more than 400 ahead of Jokić. But on Jokić's side of the ledger, he had a 60-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance against Minnesota. It was just the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history.
Both their scoring totals have put them on a path with some of the leagues best.
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