The NBA MVP race has officially entered the stretch where things get real. January is when the storylines start to cement, durability becomes just as important as dominance, and the league’s brightest stars either rise to the challenge-or fade into the background noise.
This season’s race? It’s a slugfest.
We’ve got elite talent trading haymakers weekly, and the margin between frontrunners is razor-thin.
Momentum is separating contenders from pretenders. Availability is key.
So is two-way impact. Winning matters, but make no mistake-individual brilliance hasn’t taken a backseat.
Some stars are thriving without their usual running mates. Others are simply too dominant to ignore, no matter the context.
And with the All-Star break approaching, every performance feels like it could tilt the ladder.
Let’s break down the latest MVP power rankings-and why each name on this list has earned their spot.
10. Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets
Murray’s not just riding shotgun to Nikola Jokić anymore-he’s steering the ship when needed. His shot creation, especially late in games, has been a lifeline for Denver.
He’s stepped up in big moments, and while he’s not putting up the gaudiest numbers on this list, his impact on winning and his ability to rise when it counts keeps him in the conversation.
9. Jalen Brunson - New York Knicks
Brunson’s been the heartbeat of a Knicks team that’s grinding its way up the East standings. He’s not flashy, but he’s relentless.
Crafty footwork, midrange mastery, and elite decision-making have turned him into one of the league’s most reliable closers. He’s carrying the load offensively and doing it with poise.
New York’s success starts with him.
8. Tyrese Maxey - Philadelphia 76ers
Maxey’s breakout isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s a full-on leap. With James Harden gone, the keys to the Sixers’ offense were handed to him, and he hasn’t looked back.
He’s quick, fearless, and his three-level scoring has become a nightmare for defenses. His chemistry with Embiid is growing, but even when the big man sits, Maxey keeps Philly afloat.
7. Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards is playing like he knows it’s his team now. The Wolves are winning, and Ant’s doing it on both ends.
His defensive buy-in has been massive, and offensively, he’s attacking with purpose. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s setting the tone.
The swagger is real, and so is the production.
6. Cade Cunningham - Detroit Pistons
Yes, Detroit’s record is what it is. But Cunningham’s individual brilliance is undeniable.
He’s shouldering an enormous load and still delivering. His court vision, shot-making, and leadership have been on full display.
If the Pistons were winning more, he’d be even higher. But even in a tough season, Cade’s growth is impossible to ignore.
5. Jaylen Brown - Boston Celtics
Brown has been Boston’s stabilizer through a turbulent stretch. With no other All-Star beside him, he’s averaging 28.2 points and 6.1 assists, forcing defenses to key in-and still finding ways to beat them.
He’s attacking the rim with more force, drawing fouls at a career-high rate, and expanding his offensive game. The big question now is endurance.
If he can sustain this level and keep the Celtics comfortably in the playoff picture, his MVP case stays very much alive.
4. Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
Even with a minutes cap, Wembanyama’s impact is wild. He’s putting up elite numbers in scoring, rebounding, and rim protection-all while barely scratching the surface of his potential.
His mere presence shifts how opponents run their offense. He’s shutting down the paint, stretching the floor, and doing it all with absurd efficiency.
If his minutes tick up even slightly, the ceiling on his production goes through the roof. This isn’t your average Year 2 star-it’s something far more special.
3. Luka Dončić - Dallas Mavericks
Dončić is on an absolute tear. He’s leading the league in scoring at 33.4 points per game, dishing out 8.8 assists, and controlling the tempo like a seasoned conductor.
He’s torching switches, punishing mistakes, and making it all look easy. His offensive game is as complete as it’s ever been-volume, efficiency, and playmaking all peaking at the same time.
The Mavericks’ record will ultimately shape how far his MVP campaign goes, but right now? He’s making a serious push.
2. Nikola Jokić - Denver Nuggets
Injuries have paused his momentum, but not the respect. Before being sidelined, Jokić was flirting with a triple-double average while anchoring Denver’s entire offensive identity.
His decision-making, touch, and vision are still unmatched for a big man. And the Nuggets’ ability to stay afloat without him only highlights how central he is to their success.
Once he’s back on the floor, don’t be surprised if a dominant stretch catapults him back to the top.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
This is Shai’s moment, and he’s seizing it. He’s averaging 31.9 points with elite efficiency, playing high-level defense, and leading the Thunder to the top of the West.
He’s doing all of this without overextending himself-often sitting the fourth because the game’s already in hand. His consistency has been surgical, his leadership undeniable.
In a season full of worthy MVP candidates, SGA has carved out a clear lane. Right now, this race belongs to him-and he’s earned every bit of it.
With the All-Star break looming and the playoff race heating up, this MVP battle is far from over. But as of now, the ladder’s been climbed, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands at the top.