Nikola Jokic Takes the Lead in the NBA MVP Race After Christmas Day Heroics
The NBA’s MVP race just got a major shake-up - and it comes courtesy of a familiar face. Nikola Jokic, the two-time MVP and centerpiece of the Denver Nuggets, has surged to the front of the pack after delivering a Christmas Day performance that was nothing short of historic.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been right there with Jokic all season long in the MVP conversation, the tide has shifted. Oklahoma City’s recent stumble - a loss to San Antonio on Christmas marking their third defeat to the Spurs this season - opened the door.
And Jokic didn’t just walk through it. He kicked it down.
Jokic’s Christmas Masterpiece
Let’s talk numbers: 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists. That was Jokic’s stat line in Denver’s 142-138 overtime win against Minnesota. And if that wasn’t enough, he dropped 18 points in the extra period alone - breaking Steph Curry’s previous record of 17 points in OT set back in 2016.
What makes it even more impressive? The Nuggets were missing three starters.
Jokic didn’t just carry the team - he elevated them, orchestrating one of the most dominant individual performances we’ve seen on Christmas Day in league history. This wasn’t just a big game.
It was a statement.
SGA Still Shining, But Thunder Cooling Off
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been electric all season, and even in this recent skid, he’s still putting up elite numbers - four 30-point games in his last five, with efficiency that most guards dream about. But the Thunder have hit a rough patch.
They’ve dropped two straight and three of their last four, going 2-4 over their last six. And yes, three of those losses came at the hands of the Spurs.
It’s tough to make a strong MVP case when your team is struggling, no matter how well you’re playing individually. SGA’s brilliance hasn’t faded, but the momentum has - and that’s given Jokic the edge, at least for now.
Luka Doncic: Still Dangerous, But Missing Time
Luka Doncic has been his usual dazzling self when he’s on the court - averaging 30.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in December. But he’s missed three games this month, and his last two outings (12 and 25 points) haven’t been up to his usual standards. Meanwhile, Dallas has dropped three straight, and the offense has hit a rough patch, ranking 27th in offensive rating over the last three games.
Doncic is always a threat to re-enter the MVP conversation in a big way, but right now, he’s on the outside looking in.
Cade Cunningham: Strong Team, Slipping Odds
Cade Cunningham’s MVP odds have taken a hit recently, sliding from +5500 to +8000. While his scoring dipped to 22.2 points per game in December - his lowest monthly average this season - he’s still been productive across the board, dishing out 9.4 assists and grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game.
The bigger picture? Detroit has gone 8-2 in their last 10 and sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 24-6 record. So while Cunningham’s individual scoring may have cooled, his team’s success keeps him in the conversation - even if his odds say otherwise.
Jalen Brunson: December Surge
Jalen Brunson is closing out December with a bang. The Knicks guard has been on a tear, averaging 30.7 points and 6.9 assists while shooting nearly 48% from the field and just under 40% from deep. New York’s December highlight was their in-season tournament cup win over San Antonio - the same Spurs team that’s been giving Oklahoma City fits.
With the Knicks now solidifying themselves as a top-two team in the East, Brunson’s name is gaining steam in MVP discussions. He’s not quite at the top, but he’s playing like he wants to be.
Stock Watch: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling
📈 Stock Up: Nikola Jokic
No surprise here. Jokic’s Christmas Day explosion vaulted him ahead of SGA at sportsbooks across the board. The margin might be slim - a $5 difference on a $100 bet - but in the MVP race, any lead is significant.
Now comes a critical stretch. Starting Dec. 27, the Nuggets embark on a seven-game road trip, their longest of the season.
It starts in Orlando and wraps in Boston. If Jokic can keep the momentum going and Denver performs well, this stretch could solidify his MVP lead.
If not, the door could swing back open.
📉 Stock Down: Victor Wembanyama
Even with the Spurs beating the Thunder three times and picking up a Christmas Day win, Victor Wembanyama’s MVP odds have slipped to 150-to-1. Part of that is his role - coming off the bench recently doesn’t help his case. MVPs typically don’t spend time as sixth men, no matter how talented they are.
That said, the Spurs are 6-1 since his return and have won five straight. Wemby’s long-term ceiling remains sky-high, but in the MVP race, he’s fading - at least for this season.
The Road Ahead
As we head into the heart of the NBA season, the MVP race is heating up. Jokic has taken the pole position, but with plenty of basketball left, nothing is set in stone.
SGA, Luka, Brunson, Cunningham - all still have time to make their case. But if Jokic keeps delivering like he did on Christmas, the rest of the league might just be playing catch-up.