Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone clarified his comments regarding the MVP debate between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Thursday.

Ahead of leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference finals over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with his Most Valuable Player award.

During NBA playoff pregame coverage in Oklahoma City, Malone clarified, if he had a MVP vote, he would have voted for Jokić over eventual MVP winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The last time an American-born player walked away with the top honor was James Harden in 2018. The run of international players winning MVP -- Gilgeous-Alexander is from Canada -- speaks to the expanding global reach of the NBA and the increased number of talent outside of the United States.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James made NBA MVP voting history this season. No, the 21-time All-Star power forward did not win a fifth MVP award, but he did earn one fourth-place vote and 13 fifth-place votes from the league's pool of 100 global media members.

The PWHL announced the three finalists for the Billie Jean King MVP award on Thursday, which included Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight.

Alexander captured his first career MVP award on Wednesday, and his teammates are reaping the benefits.During an MVP celebration scheduled by the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander had some incredibly kind words for those who've supported him during his journey to the MVP award,

The Oklahoma City Thunder reached the 2012 NBA Finals with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden leading the way, which has spurred some hypothetical conversations about a matchup between that team and the current iteration of the franchise that is seven wins away from a championship.