The 2025-26 NBA MVP Race Is Heating Up - And It’s Shaping Into a Classic
With Nikola Jokic back on the floor and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still torching defenses night in and night out, we might be staring down the barrel of another heavyweight MVP showdown between two of the league’s most uniquely dominant stars. And if the past week is any indication, this race could go down to the wire.
Let’s dive into where things stand right now - and who’s making the most noise as we approach the All-Star break.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Relentless Scorer Leading the Charge
There’s no slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After dropping 34 points in the Thunder’s 121-111 win over Jokic and the Nuggets on Sunday, SGA extended his streak of 20-point games to 120 - inching ever closer to Wilt Chamberlain’s historic mark of 126. That’s not just consistency; that’s all-time greatness.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been the Thunder’s engine all season, leading them in scoring for 11 straight games and rarely dipping below the 25-point mark. Even as Oklahoma City hits a slight midseason skid, SGA hasn’t taken his foot off the gas. He continues to hold a slight edge in the MVP race, thanks to both his individual brilliance and his team’s strong position near the top of the standings.
2025-26 Season Stats:
48 games | 32.0 PPG | 6.4 APG | 4.4 RPG | 1.3 SPG | 55.8 FG% | 39.1 3P%
Nikola Jokic: The Triple-Double Machine Returns With Authority
Jokic wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s a three-time MVP. In his first game back from a knee hyperextension that sidelined him for 16 games, the Nuggets’ big man dropped 31 points, 12 boards, five assists, and three steals in just 25 minutes against the Clippers. He looked fresh, fluid, and completely in rhythm - as if he hadn’t missed a beat.
But here’s the catch: Jokic can only afford to miss one more game this season if he wants to remain eligible for MVP honors, due to the league’s 65-game minimum. With 32 games left on Denver’s schedule and seven back-to-backs still ahead, the margin for error is razor-thin.
That said, if Jokic stays on the court and keeps producing at this level - averaging a triple-double while shooting over 60% from the field - the MVP conversation won’t be complete without his name near the top.
2025-26 Season Stats:
34 games | 29.3 PPG | 12.0 RPG | 10.7 APG | 1.4 SPG | 60.9 FG% | 44.0 3P%
Luka Doncic: Carrying the Lakers, One Bucket at a Time
Luka Doncic continues to do Luka things - and that means scoring in bunches while keeping the Lakers afloat. He leads the league in scoring at 33.6 points per game, and his impact is impossible to ignore.
When he’s off the floor, the Lakers’ offense craters. When he’s on, they’re a different animal.
Doncic averaged 35.5 points this past week while shooting over 54% from the field, and he leads the NBA with eight 40-point games. He’s second only to SGA in 30-point outings.
The only thing holding him back from sitting atop the MVP ladder? The Lakers’ inconsistency in the win column.
2025-26 Season Stats:
40 games | 33.6 PPG | 8.8 APG | 8.0 RPG | 1.5 SPG | 47.6 FG% | 34.8 3P%
Jaylen Brown: Quietly Dominant in Boston
Jaylen Brown might not be getting the national spotlight, but his numbers - and his impact - demand attention. He’s putting up career highs across the board while anchoring a Celtics team that’s tied with the Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the East.
Brown’s defense has been elite, his scoring consistent, and his all-around game more polished than ever. He’s fourth in the league in scoring, trailing only Doncic, SGA, and Anthony Edwards. If Boston keeps climbing and challenges Detroit for the top spot in the conference, Brown’s MVP stock will rise quickly.
2025-26 Season Stats:
45 games | 29.4 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 4.8 APG | 1.0 SPG | 48.5 FG% | 36.2 3P%
Cade Cunningham: The Catalyst Behind Detroit’s Rise
Cade Cunningham is doing it all for the Pistons - and doing it quietly, which makes his MVP case even more compelling. Detroit sits atop the East and is just two games behind the Thunder for the best record in the league. Cunningham’s fingerprints are all over that success.
He’s one of just two players in the NBA averaging over nine assists per game (the other being Jokic), and he’s become a defensive force as well. His offensive production is elite, but it’s his steady hand and leadership that have Detroit looking like a legitimate title contender.
2025-26 Season Stats:
42 games | 25.2 PPG | 9.8 APG | 5.6 RPG | 1.5 SPG | 46.0 FG% | 32.4 3P%
MVP Ladder: Rounding Out the Top 10
- Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
*Still in the mix, but his eligibility is at risk due to the 65-game minimum rule. *
- Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
*Climbing the ranks with consistent scoring and two-way play. *
- Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets
*Stepped up big-time in Jokic’s absence and continues to impress. *
- Jalen Brunson - New York Knicks
*The heart of a surging Knicks squad that’s in the thick of the East race. *
- Tyrese Maxey - Philadelphia 76ers
*New to the top 10, Maxey’s scoring and playmaking have been huge for Philly. *
Final Word: A Race With No Clear Finish Line
With less than half the season to go, the MVP race is as wide open as it’s been in years. Gilgeous-Alexander is the frontrunner for now, but Jokic is looming - and if he stays healthy and clears the games-played threshold, his case could be undeniable. Luka’s brilliance is keeping him firmly in the mix, while rising stars like Cunningham and Brown are building strong narratives of their own.
This isn’t just a battle of stats - it’s a season-long test of endurance, consistency, and impact. And with the All-Star break approaching, the real sprint for MVP is just getting started. Buckle up.