Thunder's SGA, Holmgren Nominated for NBA Awards

Two Oklahoma City players recognized for standout seasons

Apr. 20, 2026 at 5:45pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting basketball players and a basketball court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in dark blue, green, and orange tones, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.Award nominations for the Thunder's rising stars signal a promising future for the franchise.Oklahoma City Today

The Oklahoma City Thunder have reason to celebrate as two of their players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, have been named finalists for prestigious NBA awards following a big Game 1 playoff win.

Why it matters

The Thunder have struggled in recent years, but these award nominations show the team is on the upswing with young talent emerging as potential league stars. Recognitions like these can help raise the profile of the franchise and its players within the NBA.

The details

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nominated for the NBA Most Improved Player award after a breakout season where he led the Thunder in scoring. Rookie Chet Holmgren, the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award after an impressive debut campaign.

  • The award nominations were announced on April 20, 2026.
  • The Thunder recently won Game 1 of their current NBA Playoff series.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A 24-year-old point guard who led the Oklahoma City Thunder in scoring this season and is a finalist for the NBA Most Improved Player award.

Chet Holmgren

The 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the 20-year-old rookie center is a finalist for the NBA Rookie of the Year award after an impressive debut season with the Thunder.

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What they’re saying

“Shai and Chet have been huge bright spots for us this season. We're thrilled to see their hard work and talent recognized by the league.”

— Sam Presti, General Manager, Oklahoma City Thunder

What’s next

The NBA will announce the award winners in early June 2026, following the conclusion of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Thunder's young core of Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren are emerging as two of the league's most promising players, providing hope for the franchise's future after a tough stretch. These award nominations validate the team's rebuild strategy and could help attract more fans and attention to the up-and-coming squad.