For the reason that final time we talked, the NBA MVP race has taken a serious flip. We now have a brand new chief, a recurring addition, and a pair of mainstays who’re every main spectacular costs of their respective conferences. Nonetheless, the latest developments have modified the race solely and now all of it might hinge on one famous person specifically getting again on the courtroom as quickly as attainable.
Who’s the NBA MVP thus far?
SGA or Jokić? 👀
📹: @WillDespart #NBA pic.twitter.com/GpJ7Sw4ztU
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) January 8, 2026
Final rating: No. 2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been operating only a hair behind Nikola Jokic within the MVP race earlier than Jokic was dominated out for at the very least 4 weeks on the time of his knee harm that may formally put his candidacy for a fourth MVP in jeopardy (take into accout a participant can solely miss 17 video games and be eligible for postseason awards).
With the race all of a sudden taking over a brand new complexion, Gilgeous-Alexander established pole place with a 46-point outing in Oklahoma Metropolis’s 129-125 extra time win towards the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The Thunder entered that sport coming off consecutive losses for the primary time this season, so it was an particularly well timed efficiency for the reigning MVP.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the fifth level guard in NBA historical past to report 45/5/5 with 0 TOV. pic.twitter.com/ZYddjX7c9y
— Actual App (@realapp) January 8, 2026
Nonetheless, probably the most convincing stat in favor of Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP candidacy is the truth that he’s nonetheless second within the NBA in scoring (32.1 factors per sport) even supposing he’s sat out the fourth quarter in 16 of the Thunder’s 38 video games thus far this season.
2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets(Age 30, 3-Time MVP)
Final rating: No. 1
As talked about, Jokic’s forecasted absence will complicate his path towards successful yet one more MVP award. Nonetheless, if he can in some way get again on the courtroom throughout the subsequent handful of weeks with some additional DNPs to spare, his numbers are simply too gaudy, and his efficiency is simply too constant to not be thought-about for the award if eligible. So whereas he’s nonetheless eligible, he’ll declare his rightful spot on the listing.
One factor that would probably work in Jokic’s favor for the award, as counterproductive as it could be, is that if the Nuggets carry out poorly on this stretch with out him. We’ve all seen and heard the stats concerning the Nuggets being a traditionally nice staff with Jokic on the ground and a downright dangerous one with out him, however they are 3-2 with out him this season and simply beat the red-hot Boston Celtics on the highway in primetime.
Jokic out of the MVP race simply ain’t proper 👀
The crew reacts to Nikola Jokic’s harm and the chaos across the NBA’s 65-game rule
The newest ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged is LIVE on YouTube! 💨 pic.twitter.com/VQE066TBM2
— All of the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) January 6, 2026
The bigger dialog round this 12 months’s award, if Jokic turns into ineligible, is how silly the 65-game minimal is to earn postseason honors within the NBA. If Jokic can’t keep his standing in an MVP race wherein he leads the NBA in rebounding and assists and is sixth in scoring, the standards must be adjusted.
3. Luka Doncic, LA Lakers(Age 26, No MVPs)
Final rating: No. 3
The NBA is ripe with 30-point-per-game scorers this season, however standing above all of them within the first half of the NBA season is Luka Doncic. His 32 factors per sport not solely lead the league, his 8.8 assists per sport rank fourth and his eight rebounds per sport additionally rank twenty fifth.
Not solely is Luka accumulating one of the best numbers of his profession so far, the Lakers are additionally a drive to be reckoned with. The Lakers are 23-12 this season regardless of having been with out LeBron James for the primary chunk of the season, and Doncic has managed to maintain the ship afloat amidst an prolonged absence from breakthrough star Austin Reaves as properly.
Luka Doncic:
• 57% likelihood to guide NBA in Factors• 4th in NBA in Assists• High-25 in Rebounds
What’s going to he must do to win MVP? pic.twitter.com/7hYgkdODUj
— Kalshi Sports activities (@KalshiSports) January 2, 2026
It couldn’t be clearer that Doncic is main the operation in LA, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Lakers within the Western Convention Finals due to that reality, particularly if accidents proceed to pose a query mark within the Western Convention. I wouldn’t count on them to upset Oklahoma Metropolis, although.
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons(Age 24, No MVPs)
Final rating: No. 4
Cade Cunningham has been piloting the first-place Detroit Pistons with such precision that you would make an actual argument that the one gamers that contribute extra to a successful tradition within the NBA proper now are Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander. The Pistons are 28-9 thus far this season and have gained 4 of their final 5 video games after dropping two in a row post-Christmas.
Cunningham at present ranks second within the league with 9.7 assists per sport, which isn’t too shabby for a man who additionally ranks twelfth in scoring with a mean 26.9 factors per sport. The Pistons look like cruising towards the No. 1 seed and residential courtroom benefit within the Japanese Convention playoffs, which is a outstanding flip for a franchise that fairly actually couldn’t purchase a win two seasons in the past.
Jeff Teague says Cade Cunningham ought to win MVP over gamers like SGA, Luka, and Jokic as a result of he’s one of many few enjoying with out one other bona fide star on his staff.
(🎥 @club520podcast / h/t @NBA__Courtside )
pic.twitter.com/i0XdiGpnLx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 16, 2025
If the Pistons’ dominance continues, which it would, there’s actually no selection however to contemplate Cunningham for the award.
5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics(Age 29, No MVPs)
Final rating: NR
Jaylen Brown’s numbers won’t be as gaudy as Tyrese Maxey’s, and his performances won’t be as incomprehensible as Victor Wembanyama’s, however there’s one thing to be stated about the truth that the Boston Celtics are 23-13 on the season and in third place within the Japanese Convention with out Jayson Tatum.
It goes with out saying that Brown’s 29.7 factors and 4.9 assists per sport are the driving drive behind that, however probably the most spectacular high quality of his career-best season so far has been the best way that he’s rallied the Celtics round him and the way they’ve responded to his management in flip.
Draymond on Jaylen Brown:
“He ought to simply be speaking about who’s one of the best participant within the NBA proper now. That’s the kind of basketball Jaylen Brown has been enjoying. I’m undecided how he hasn’t moved into high 3 of MVP voting.”
(by way of @DraymondShow)pic.twitter.com/jL8RYhzlDX
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 7, 2026
Brown has completely established himself as a real 1B to Tatum’s 1A amidst the latter’s absence, and it actually isn’t too far fetched to consider that these roles might quickly flop as properly if Tatum’s type upon return isn’t used to what we’re seeing from him.
