Playing back-to-back seven-game series, Denver had Oklahoma hand them a semi-final exit. After proceeding to the WCF, the Thunder showed complete dominance in Game 1. Addressing OKC's win, Mike Malone mentioned how Shai showed he was the true MVP, stirring up social media.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2024-25 MVP award over Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, just like Michael Malone said he would.

Former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone said his MVP vote would have gone to Nikola Jokić, not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “I did vote for him again this year — if I had a vote,” Malone said on ESPN before Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.