The third version of the Ballislife NBA MVP Ladder stays largely unchanged, save for a substitute within the fifth-place spot. Like final yr, it already seems that the 2 generational frontrunners are pulling forward of the pack.
1. Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić stays on the high of the ladder after posting maybe his most ridiculous two-week stretch in a season that would very properly go down as his finest when it’s all stated and achieved. Since Dec. 5, Jokić has scored no less than 35 factors in three of the Nuggets’ final 4 video games, together with a 39-point triple-double with 15 rebounds and 10 assists towards the Houston Rockets on Monday.
Nikola Jokic and SGA have opened a giant hole (once more) within the MVP race, per HoopsHype’s World Score. pic.twitter.com/Hfv5XSihaE
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) December 12, 2025
Not solely is Jokić getting it achieved individually, however the Nuggets are additionally arguably the most popular group within the NBA proper now. The three-time MVP put collectively one other 23-point triple-double in a blowout over the Orlando Magic on Thursday, which was the Nuggets’ sixth win in a row and their seventh in eight video games.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder
The Thunder slipped up for simply the second time this season towards the Spurs within the NBA Cup semis on the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday, however they shortly proved it was a fluke with a 21-point win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, through which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 32 factors regardless of sitting out the fourth quarter… once more. In the event you’re counting, SGA already has 20 video games with no less than 30 factors this season, and he’s solely performed the fourth quarter in 13 of the Thunder’s 27 video games up to now.
🏀 THURSDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander notches his league-leading twentieth 30-point sport of the season because the @okcthunder enhance to 13-0 at residence!
Chet Holmgren: 22 PTS, 7 REBJalen Williams: 20 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STLAjay Mitchell: 16 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL https://t.co/iIGbIOJ2ie pic.twitter.com/kjc4nKEb9v
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
At 25-2, the Thunder are formally monitoring towards potential NBA historical past and are a definitive menace to the Warriors’ regular-season win file at this price. It’s exhausting to think about a world the place SGA doesn’t win MVP in the event that they break that file, however then once more, it’s exhausting to think about half the insane issues Jokić does on a weekly foundation as properly. What a deal with this race is shaping to be for the second consecutive yr.
3. Luka Dončić, LA Lakers
In nearly each different yr of Luka Dončić’s profession and in most different years in NBA historical past as an entire, he can be the surefire NBA front-runner and the Lakers can be the speak of the city. As a substitute, his 34.7 factors, 8.7 rebounds, and eight.8 assists per sport place him in a humble third place on the ladder, and all of the chatter within the West is seemingly directed on the Thunder’s dominance and Jokic’s generational run.
Luka Doncic is the primary participant in Lakers historical past to file:
45+ PTS10+ AST5+ STL pic.twitter.com/l1eI34ggSm
— Actual Sports activities (@realapp) December 19, 2025
It’s clear Luka is the engine that makes the Lakers go. Regardless of a comparatively tough couple of weeks, it’s evident he’s in the perfect form of his profession, and he’s the man that each a 40-year-old LeBron and a 27-year-old Austin Reaves can rely on to be Batman whereas they play dueling types of Robin.
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
The Knicks might have taken residence the NBA Cup earlier this week, however the first two months of the season have proven us that the Pistons live as much as the billing as this yr’s Pacers within the Jap Convention. Hell, they is likely to be higher, they usually would possibly simply have the perfect participant within the convention in Cade Cunningham.
Two-way star Cade Cunningham leads all NBA gamers (Min. 300 DFA) this season–boasting a 40.8% Defended FG%. Cunningham has held shooters to 130-of-319 from the sector as the first defender. Cunningham additionally leads the NBA with 4 video games of 15+ PTS, 5+ AST, 2+ STL and a pair of+ BLK. pic.twitter.com/83LOVrhVte
— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) December 15, 2025
Cunningham has solely continued his elevation from All-Star to MVP candidate in current weeks, main the Pistons to 4 straight wins since Dec. 5. Cunningham has tallied no less than 20 factors and 10 assists within the Pistons’ final two wins, together with 32 and 10 in a 112-105 win towards the Boston Celtics on Monday.
5. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
The fifth spot on the ladder has been the place the actual motion has been all season, and this week brings one other new face to the celebration. Tyrese Maxey has the Sixers taking part in aggressive hoops at 14-11 total, and he ranks within the high 10 in each scoring with 31.5 factors per sport (third) and seven.4 assists per sport (ninth).
THE RISE OF TYRESE MAXEY 📈
Averaging 32.5 PPG (third in NBA), Maxey’s scoring capability has been on full show and his regular climb has changed into famous person manufacturing for Philly!
Don’t miss the 76ers tackle the Warriors tonight at 7:00pm/et on NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/Lo13Q5jXeq
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2025
The uncertainty surrounding Joel Embiid has made Maxey the highest canine in Philly at this level, and that’s a task he carries even when the massive fella is on the court docket. Granted, Embiid continues to be attempting to work his approach again into the identical stratosphere he was in earlier than knee accidents plagued his final two seasons. No have to worry, although. Maxey is right here for Philadelphia, they usually appear like a playoff contender within the East when he performs the way in which he has been.
