Haliburton Picks Gilgeous-Alexander Over Wembanyama for MVP

Thunder star leads race for second straight award, Pelicans rookie a close contender

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:29am

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As the 2025-26 NBA season winds down, the MVP race has emerged as the biggest storyline among players. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the current favorite to win the award for the second consecutive year, but he faces a strong challenge from Victor Wembanyama, the standout rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Why it matters

The MVP race is always a closely watched and debated topic in the NBA, with fans and analysts closely scrutinizing the performance of the league's top stars. Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama have both put up impressive numbers this season, making the decision a tough one for voters.

The details

In a recent interview, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton weighed in on the MVP race, stating that he believes Gilgeous-Alexander should win the award over Wembanyama. Haliburton cited Gilgeous-Alexander's consistent production and leadership of the Thunder as key factors in his decision.

  • The 2025-26 NBA season is nearing its conclusion.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The star guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander is the current favorite to win his second consecutive NBA MVP award.

Victor Wembanyama

The highly touted rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans, Wembanyama has emerged as a close contender for the MVP award with his impressive play this season.

Tyrese Haliburton

The starting point guard for the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton weighed in on the MVP race in a recent interview.

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What they’re saying

“Shai has been so consistent all year and really led his team. That's why I think he should get the MVP over Wembanyama.”

— Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers Guard

What’s next

The NBA regular season will conclude in the coming weeks, at which point the league will announce the winner of the 2025-26 MVP award.

The takeaway

The MVP race between Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama has been one of the most compelling storylines of the NBA season, with players, analysts, and fans closely debating the merits of each candidate. Haliburton's endorsement of Gilgeous-Alexander provides an interesting perspective on the race.