Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should still be a front-runner in MVP race

The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a lopsided loss on Sunday at home to the Los Angeles Lakers, 126-99. 

Even though the Thunder were annihilated at the hands of the Western Conference's No. 3 seed, this shouldn't affect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP hopes.

Sunday's loss was only the sixth time this season the Thunder have lost at Paycom Center. Furthermore, the Lakers held the NBA's top scoring unit to under 100 points. In fact, Oklahoma City hasn't been held under 100 points since a Jan. 17 loss against the Dallas Mavericks (106-98). 

Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 26 points on 12-of-23 from the field with nine assists and three rebounds. However, the former Los Angeles Clipper should still be in front of the line for the MVP race. 

Despite the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander still leads the league in scoring (32.6) and is fourth in steals (1.8). Furthermore, the Thunder still have the best overall record in the league with a 64-14 record, but have now lost two consecutive games for the second time this season after losses to the Houston Rockets and the Lakers. 

Regardless, the 6-foot-6 OKC superstar should still be ahead of the Denver Nuggets' three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic is a strong candidate for the MVP award due to having another prolific campaign, averaging 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists on 57.8% shooting from the field. 

However, Denver have lost three consecutive games and are 17 games behind Oklahoma City in the standings.

After Sundays affair, the Thunder have four games remaining in the season. Oklahoma City can still secure home-court advantage through to the NBA Finals if it finishes with a better record than the Cleveland Cavaliers (62-16).