NBA Playoffs MVP Power Rankings: Young guard trumps MVP winner for first place

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last rank: 2

After taking the youngest roster in the NBA to their first seed in over a decade, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was poised to take his team to their first Conference Finals since the 2015-16 NBA season. However, they ran into Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

After convincingly winning Game 1, the Thunder failed to have the same shooting and defensive impact they once had for the remainder of the series. They were fortunate enough to give themselves a shot at winning the series after stealing Game 4 but it didn't matter.

Despite losing in six games, Gilgeous-Alexander proved why he was second in MVP voting at the end of the season. Gilgeous-Alexander constantly torched the Mavs for multiple big-time performances and became the main reason the Thunder dragged the Mavericks on for six tough games.

As the Thunder begin only to sniff their prime years, Gilgeous-Alexander will be ready for many more late playoff runs with his Thunder squad. They may need to make some offseason moves to make that wish become a reality, but they have found a bonified star in Gilgeous-Alexander for the long haul.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to close out his 2023-24 playoff campaign, the best of his young career. Gilgeous-Alexander proved to many fans why he deserves their respect and why he can compete for an NBA Championship soon.

For more updates on the Dallas Mavericks' upcoming playoff series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, stay plugged in for more as we'll have you covered.