Hamilton’s SGA a finalist for two NBA awards, including MVP

Hamilton’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a finalist for two season-ending awards in the NBA, including the biggest prize of all – Most Valuable Player.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star is up against the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic – a two-time winner – and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic for the MVP and is hoping to become the second Canadian winner and the first since Steve Nash won back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.1 points (third in the NBA), 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists this year in leading the Thunder to the #1 seed in the west and has also refined his defensive game to become one of the league’s best two-way players.

The two-time all-star continued his dominance in Sunday’s playoff opener, scoring 28 points to lead Oklahoma City to a 94-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gilgeous-Alexander is also up for Clutch Player of the Year against NBA legend Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and former Toronto Raptor DeMar DeRozan, who now plays for the Chicago Bulls.

Other award finalists include Malik Monk (Sacramento Kings), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves) for the Sixth Man of the Year; Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City), Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets), and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) for Rookie of the Year; Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) and Coby White (Chicago) for Most Improved Player; and Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota) and Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s coach – Mark Daigneault – is up for Coach of the Year against Chris Finch (Minnesota) and Jamahl Mosley (Orlando Magic).