NBA MVP Power Rankings: Major shakeup in top three after first round of playoffs

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last rank: 3

Entering the postseason, fans didn't know what to expect of this young Thunder squad. Being the No. 1 seed with the youngest roster in the NBA and one of the most questionable surrounding casts had fans questioning the capabilities of the OKC Thunder.

Despite this, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his young team to an easy four-game sweep over an injured New Orleans Pelicans squad. There was only one game that became a toss-up and that was Game 1 after nearly a full week of rest and practice.

In the process of beating an injured New Orleans squad, Gilgeous-Alexander caught heat at the right time. While the Thunder guard didn't need to have the best series he came out and put a show on every night for the fans in attendance.

Additionally, the surrounding cast of the Thunder proved to be the right mix of youth and energy around their young MVP candidate. They now enter a critical second-round series with the Luka Doncic-led Mavericks and the stakes couldn't be higher for the Thunder.

They will need to get through a much improved Dallas squad if they wish to attend their first NBA Finals since the 2012 season. However, Gilgeous-Alexander could be the perfect leader to give this city another title run in their short history.

The Mavericks and Thunder will tip off on Tuesday night for the first time in a potential seven-game battle.