MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lavishes immense praise on NBA's shortest player

OKC Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was full of praise for Memphis Grizzlies Yuki Kawamura. He lavished the Japanese guard in a post-game presser after the game against the Grizzlies on Sunday night.

Yuki, who is the NBA's shorted player listed at 5-foot-8 inches, impressed the OKC Thunder's MVP candidate in their matchup. The Japanese scored 10 points, created three assists and had three rebounds last night.

"Really good basketball player. You can see he had like 10 points in five minutes and three like assists. Very skilled ... despite the size he can play out there ... if you have feel, you can play. No matter what."

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a 130-106 home win against the Memphis Grizzlies and ended their two-game-winning run in the process. He ended the game with a game-high 35 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

SGA has been in the running for the league's MVP, with the latest NBA poll having him in third place. He is behind reigning MVP, Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (1st) and Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (2nd).

This season he is averaging 31.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game for the Thunder. Additionally, he is shooting at 52.3% from the field and 34.4% from the 3-point line.

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What's next for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder are on a six-game-winning run. Since losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA Cup, they have steamrolled every opponent with Sunday night's win over the West's second seed, Grizzlies (22-11) by 24 points, a statement that they are the team to beat in the West.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball down the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Thunder end the year with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 31. Their next five games afterward see them face top opposition in the LA Clippers (Jan. 2), New York Knicks (Jan. 3 and 10th) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (Jan 8).