Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tears up in MVP speech
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s acceptance speech turns emotional as pay tribute to his wife
Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic lead the 15-member All-NBA team announced Friday.
Joining them on the first team were Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic were unanimous selections from the media panel, as they were last season. Tatum and Antetokounmpo were also unanimous picks.
A panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. The selections are positionless, and each player must have played 65 games in order to be eligible for postseason awards, including the All-NBA team. The voting occurs before the playoffs.
All-NBA first team
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
The 26-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander, a first-team selection for the third consecutive season, averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 76 games, scoring 20 or more points in 72 consecutive games. He was the only NBA player to average at least 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Jokic, who averaged a triple-double this season, appears on the first team for the fifth time overall. Antetokounmpo made the first team for the seventh straight season, and this is Tatum’s fourth straight first-team selection. Mitchell makes his debut on the first team after a second-team nod last season.
All-NBA second team
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
All-NBA third team
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
- Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
- Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
The 40-year-old James made his 21st All-NBA team, extending his own NBA record. James has made the All-NBA first team 13 times, the second team four times, and the third team four times.
Cunningham is eligible for a pay bump. He signed a five-year, $224 million max rookie extension last summer and his next extension could now be worth $269 million after making an All-NBA team this season.
Notable players who did not receive an All-NBA vote because of the games played requirement include Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, and Lakers guard Luka Dončić
Editor’s note: USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt has a media vote.
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