The NBA’s race for MVP was just blown wide open.
Nikola Jokic was enjoying another dominant campaign, averaging 29.6 points per game while leading the NBA in both rebounding (12.2 RPG) and assists (11.0 APG). The Nuggets centre was well on his way to a fourth career MVP before hyperextending his left knee in a game against the Heat on December 29.
The good news is that the injury isn’t season-ending. The bad news is that the Serbian superstar has been ruled out for at least four weeks. Based on his current timeline, it’s extremely unlikely that Jokic will be able to hit the NBA’s 65-game minimum for MVP eligibility.
With Jokic now on the sidelines, there are several players with a legitimate case to win this year’s MVP. In the wake of Jokic’s injury, let’s take a look across the league and see who’s in the running for the 2025-26 NBA MVP award.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (-450)
With Jokic out of the running, SGA steps in as the new betting favourite to win this year’s MVP. Despite sitting out the fourth quarter in countless blowout wins this season, SGA is second in the scoring race with 31.6 points per game. Yet it’s team success that’s driving his MVP bid; the Thunder are an NBA-best 30-7 and appear well on their way to defending their championship with SGA leading the way.
Having already won this award just last season, Gilgeous-Alexander would become the 16th player in NBA history to win multiple MVPs. He’d also join Steve Nash as the only Canadians to win this award in back-to-back years.
Luka Doncic, Lakers (+410)
Arguably the best player in the NBA without an MVP on his résumé, Doncic is looking to change that this season. He’s leading the NBA in scoring at 33.7 points per game, and also pulling down 8.1 RPG and putting up 8.7 APG. If you’re basing this award solely on the numbers, Luka has a strong case for MVP.
The Lakers (22-11) have also performed surprisingly well this season, which can only strengthen Doncic’s MVP profile. He’s a triple-double threat every night and with 30+ points in 8 of his 11 games in December, he’s been gaining real traction in the MVP race. If he can win the scoring title and help the Lakers win the Pacific Division, this could be Luka’s year.
Cade Cunningham, Pistons (+6000)
The first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham has revitalized the Pistons franchise. Detroit’s entire offence runs through him, with Cade leading the team in points (26.7 PPG) and assists (9.6 APG). With a 27-9 record, he’s got the Pistons back on top of the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2006.
He may be the best pick-and-roll ball handler in the NBA, but it’s not just his offence that has him in the MVP conversation; Cunningham has developed into a solid two-way player who can defend at an elite level. At this point in the season, with the Pistons looking like true contenders, it’s impossible to ignore what Cunningham is doing in Detroit.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks (+6500)
Few players have the ball in their hands as much as Brunson, with the undersized point guard playing over 35 minutes per game for the Knicks. He continues to lead this team through hard work and efficient play, avoiding costly turnovers while putting up 29.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Brunson is clearly the most valuable player for the Knicks and has his team just four games back of the Pistons for top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. He rarely misses any time, does all the little things right and is one of the NBA’s most reliable closers, coming up with clutch buckets in the game’s biggest moments.
Jaylen Brown, Celtics (+9000)
The Celtics weren’t supposed to win this year; Jaylen Brown had other ideas. With Jayson Tatum out for the season with a torn Achilles, Brown has stepped up in a big way. He’s been off-the-charts for Boston, averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists, shooting an efficient 50.1% from the field.
Even with most expecting a gap year for the Celtics this season, Brown has Boston leading the Atlantic Division and looking like a real threat to come out of the East. With an extended run of 30+ point performances, he appears to have stepped into the team’s alpha role seamlessly. If the Celtics somehow manage to win the Eastern Conference, Brown’s case for MVP will be undeniable.
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers (+15000)
Philadelphia’s next great superstar has already taken a huge leap forward this season, with Maxey surpassing teammate and 2023 MVP Joel Embiid as the team’s primary offensive weapon. Maxey ran with the opportunity and is putting up 31 points per game, which includes a 54-point performance against the Bucks in November.
The former Kentucky Wildcat is also proving to be an effective playmaker, elevating the play of everyone around him and currently sitting 12th in the NBA with 7.0 assists per game. He may still be a longshot to win this year’s MVP award, but there’s still plenty of time this season for Maxey to play his way into the conversation.