The MVP Race Is Heating Up: Shai, Jokic, and Luka Are Pushing the Limits of Greatness
We’re only a quarter of the way through the NBA season, but the MVP race already feels like a heavyweight title fight. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic are all putting together monster campaigns-and if last season was any indication, this year’s battle might be even more compelling.
Let’s start with the reigning MVP. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just win the award last season-he owned it.
He edged out Jokic for his first MVP trophy, then doubled down in the postseason by leading the Thunder past the Nuggets in a grueling seven-game series. From there, he took OKC all the way to the top, winning the Finals MVP and becoming the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to win the MVP, scoring title, and Finals MVP in the same season.
That’s rarefied air.
Now, he’s back-and somehow, even better. SGA has the Thunder off to a blistering 20-1 start, and he’s doing it with incredible efficiency.
His shooting splits are flirting with the elite 55-41-90 club, and his turnover rate is down. He’s also been a standout on the defensive end and continues to be one of the league’s best clutch performers.
Simply put, he’s playing like a guy who’s not just defending his MVP crown-he’s trying to build a legacy.
But Jokic isn’t going away quietly. The Nuggets big man is once again doing things we’ve never seen from a center.
He’s leading the league in both assists and rebounds, and his effective field goal percentage is at a career-high. That’s saying something for a guy who’s already one of the most efficient scorers in NBA history.
Jokic continues to be the engine of Denver’s offense, using his unmatched court vision and feel for the game to pick defenses apart. He’s not just piling up stats-he’s controlling every possession like a maestro with a basketball.
And then there’s Luka Doncic, who’s making sure this isn’t a two-man race. He’s putting up video game numbers-35.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game-and he’s doing it while leading the Lakers to a 15-4 record, good for second in the West.
Luka’s offensive bag is as deep as ever. He’s bullying smaller guards, hitting step-backs from deep, and threading impossible passes to teammates.
He’s a one-man offense, and right now, he’s doing it at a historic level.
Eddie Johnson, a 17-year NBA vet and current Suns analyst, recently weighed in on the MVP race. He’s got high praise for Jokic and Luka, but he’s firmly in Shai’s corner.
In a recent post, he pointed out that SGA is the second-leading scorer in the league, elite in the clutch, and anchoring a team that looks like it could challenge the 73-9 Warriors for the best record ever. Johnson’s take?
Shai might lose out in the MVP race-not because of his play, but because of the numbers being put up by others.
Now, it’s easy to get caught up in the MVP debate. But here’s the reality: all three of these guys are playing at a level that would win MVP in most seasons.
Shai is leading a potential dynasty in Oklahoma City. Jokic is redefining what a center can be.
Luka is putting up numbers that feel pulled from a fantasy league. These aren’t just great seasons-they’re historic ones.
And while early MVP chatter is fun, it’s worth remembering we’ve got a long way to go. Injuries, team records, and second-half surges will all shape the final race. But if the first quarter of the season is any indication, we’re in for something special.
So instead of turning the MVP race into a debate club, maybe we just take a moment to appreciate what we’re seeing. Three generational talents, each with a legitimate case, pushing each other to new heights. That’s what makes this league great.
Let the race continue.