The leading candidate for this year’s NBA MVP award, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, continues to demonstrate why he is deserving of the honor. Throughout the season, Gilgeous-Alexander has consistently remained near the top of the MVP race and the Western Conference standings.
Wti With the season winding down, Gilgeous-Alexander is approaching a record set by Wilt Chamberlain, strengthening his case for MVP recognition. An NBA coach recently offered his perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s remarkable performances this year.
Nuggets Head Coach Praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder faced the Denver Nuggets on Monday, and prior to the game, reporters spoke with Nuggets head coach David Adelman. He was asked about Gilgeous-Alexander nearing Chamberlain’s record.
For context, Gilgeous-Alexander is close to tying Chamberlain’s record for the most consecutive games with at least 20 points. Chamberlain holds the record at 126 consecutive games, while Gilgeous-Alexander has reached 125 straight.
Chamberlain set the mark between 1961 and 1963. Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak began in November 2024. Adelman acknowledged the significance of the achievement and praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency.
“The name he’s up there with is Wilt,” Adelman said. “If you love this game, you love the history. … It just says a lot about Shai’s career. The consistency he’s shown over the years. And the fact that basketball is at a really good place right now. … It’s the beauty of the game, and Shai is a huge part of it.”
David Adelman on SGA’s 20-point streak: “The name he’s up there with is Wilt. If you love this game, you love the history… It just says a lot about Shai’s career. The consistency he’s shown over the years. And the fact basketball is at a really good place right now… It’s the… pic.twitter.com/8VJeqGtM5U
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) March 9, 2026
Surpassing one of Chamberlain’s records would place Gilgeous-Alexander firmly in conversations comparing him to other legends.
Former NBA champion Richard Jefferson recently compared Gilgeous-Alexander to Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. While fans on social media expressed surprise at the comparison, Gilgeous-Alexander’s pursuit of Chamberlain’s record lends credibility to Jefferson’s assessment.
It was notable that Nuggets head coach David Adelman praised Gilgeous-Alexander, given that his own roster features an MVP candidate in center Nikola Jokić, who has averaged 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.3 assists this season.
In ESPN’s second MVP straw poll of the 2025-26 season, released in February, a panel of 100 local, national, and international media members surveyed placed Gilgeous-Alexander ahead of Jokić. Gilgeous-Alexander received 78 first-place votes, 20 second-place votes, and two third-place votes.
