Here’s the latest on the NBA MVP race.
- Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were among the top contenders in the season-long MVP discussions, with Jokić consistently posting near-triple-double numbers and high-level efficiency, while SGA carried Oklahoma City with strong scoring and playmaking. These two have been repeatedly cited as the leading candidates by multiple outlets throughout late 2025 and into 2026 .
- Other frequent contenders included Luka Dončić and Jaylen Brown, who built strong cases with high scoring outputs, clutch performances, and impactful team results. Barking bets and straw-poll style rankings from media members often placed these players inside the top five during the season .
- The MVP conversation has been influenced by injuries and availability across the league, which can shift rankings week-to-week and affect who leads the ladder or straw polls at any given time. For example, occasional dips in playing time or missed games can alter momentum and perception in late-season analyses .
Illustration: A typical MVP leaderboard in recent seasons features a core group of 4 players (Jokić, SGA, Dončić, Brown) with others (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama) occasionally climbing or slipping based on recent stretches and health. This pattern has appeared consistently in various year-end and midseason assessments .
If you’d like, I can pull the latest specific rankings from a few outlets (e.g., NBA.com’s MVP ladder, media straw polls, and major sports sites) and summarize how each candidate’s case has evolved this week.