Ex-Nuggets Coach Backs Gilgeous-Alexander Over Jokic for MVP

Michael Malone chooses Thunder star over his former player for NBA's top individual honor.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, capturing the intensity and competition of the MVP race.A cubist interpretation of the heated MVP race between Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.Denver Today

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has surprisingly chosen Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his pick for the 2025-2026 NBA MVP award over his former star center Nikola Jokic. Malone praised Gilgeous-Alexander's clutch play and consistency, saying he's been the "best clutch player in the NBA" this season.

Why it matters

Malone's comments carry significant weight as he coached Jokic for several seasons and helped the Nuggets star develop into a multi-time MVP. Jokic is once again a top contender for the award this year, but Malone believes Gilgeous-Alexander's all-around impact and historic statistical season make him the more deserving choice.

The details

Malone cited Gilgeous-Alexander's league-leading 5 game-tying or go-ahead field goals in the final 30 seconds of games, as well as his chance to become the first guard to average 30 points per game while shooting 55% from the field. Despite Jokic's own impressive stats, including averages of a triple-double for the second straight season, Malone believes Gilgeous-Alexander's consistency and clutch play give him the edge.

  • Nikola Jokic has been an MVP finalist every season since 2020-2021, winning the award 3 times.
  • Jokic lost the MVP award in 2023 to Joel Embiid and in 2025 to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
  • This season, Jokic is posting averages of 27.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game in 61 games played.

The players

Michael Malone

Former head coach of the Denver Nuggets who helped develop Nikola Jokic into a multi-time MVP winner.

Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets star center who has won the NBA MVP award 3 times and is a top contender again this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Oklahoma City Thunder guard who Malone believes should win the 2025-2026 NBA MVP award over Jokic.

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What they’re saying

“He's proven himself to be the best clutch player in the NBA. He's got five game-tying or go-ahead field goal makes in the last 30 seconds, and he's got a chance to be the first guard ever to average 30 points per game while shooting 55% from the field.”

— Michael Malone, Former Denver Nuggets Head Coach

“No disrespect to Wemby, Nikola Jokic, and everybody else, but I think SGA is incredible in his ability to impact the game in all shapes and forms.”

— Michael Malone, Former Denver Nuggets Head Coach

What’s next

The NBA will announce the 2025-2026 MVP award winner in the coming weeks, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic as the top contenders based on Malone's comments.

The takeaway

Malone's surprising MVP pick highlights the incredible seasons put together by both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, and underscores the difficult decision voters will have to make between the two dominant players. Jokic's continued excellence and Gilgeous-Alexander's emergence as a true superstar have made the NBA MVP race one of the most compelling in recent memory.