ESPN: Thunder's Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Back-to-Back NBA MVP Awards

(CNA, Los Angeles, 17th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Sports channel ESPN reported today that Oklahoma City Thunder's star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second consecutive year. According to Agence France-Presse, the official announcement of Gilgeous-Alexander receiving this honor is expected to be broadcast on television tomorrow. ESPN's report did not mention the details of the voting. Gilgeous-Alexander's competitors included San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The 27-year-old Canadian will thus become only the 14th player in history to win consecutive NBA MVP awards. The last player to achieve this feat was Nikola Jokic, in 2021 and 2022. The Milwaukee Bucks' 'Greek Freak', Giannis Antetokounmpo, accomplished this in 2019 and 2020. Other legendary players who have won back-to-back MVP awards include Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. Gilgeous-Alexander had an outstanding season, averaging 31.1 points and 6.6 assists, leading the Thunder to a 64-18 record, first in the Western Conference. The Thunder are set to face the Spurs tomorrow in the first game of the Western Conference Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander's consecutive win also means the NBA MVP award continues to be given to a non-American player. The last American player to receive this honor was James Harden of the Houston Rockets, back in 2018. (Translator: He Hong-Ru) 1150518