2025-26 NBA MVP Ladder, Race, Odds, power rankings, frontrunners including SGA, Jokic, Wembanyama, Cunningham
The 2025-26 NBA season has officially entered the stretch run. With the All-Star festivities in the rearview, the race for the Michael Jordan Trophy is shifting from a marathon to a sprint. While the oddsmakers have established a clear hierarchy, the final 25 games—and the league’s strict 65-game eligibility rule—will ultimately decide who claims the hardware.
At the summit remains the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-210). Despite a recent abdominal strain that sidelined him for five games entering the break, SGA has the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting atop the Western Conference. Averaging 31.8 points on elite efficiency, he is the safe bet, provided he stays healthy enough to meet the games-played threshold.
However, Nikola Jokić (+300) is once again inevitable. The three-time MVP has dragged the Denver Nuggets back into contention, averaging a near triple-double. Jokić returned from his own injury scare just before the break, reminding voters that his impact on winning is unrivaled. If SGA misses more time, the Joker is poised to seize his fourth crown.
The season’s most stunning development, however, comes from the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham (+1400) has vaulted into the conversation by leading the Detroit Pistons to a league-best 40-13 record. Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points and 9.6 assists, orchestrating a renaissance in the Motor City. While his raw scoring numbers trail the leaders, being the best player on the NBA's best team historically holds massive weight with voters.
Lurking further down the ladder is Victor Wembanyama (+3500). The San Antonio Spurs phenom is a lock for Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league with 2.7 blocks per game. While his offensive leap has been terrifying, he has already missed 14 games. One more minor injury could disqualify him from MVP consideration entirely.
With Luka Dončić also making noise in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, the field is loaded. Yet, as we head into March, the narrative belongs to the Thunder’s consistency, Detroit’s surprise dominance, and the ever-looming presence of Jokić.
At the summit remains the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-210). Despite a recent abdominal strain that sidelined him for five games entering the break, SGA has the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting atop the Western Conference. Averaging 31.8 points on elite efficiency, he is the safe bet, provided he stays healthy enough to meet the games-played threshold.
However, Nikola Jokić (+300) is once again inevitable. The three-time MVP has dragged the Denver Nuggets back into contention, averaging a near triple-double. Jokić returned from his own injury scare just before the break, reminding voters that his impact on winning is unrivaled. If SGA misses more time, the Joker is poised to seize his fourth crown.
The season’s most stunning development, however, comes from the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham (+1400) has vaulted into the conversation by leading the Detroit Pistons to a league-best 40-13 record. Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points and 9.6 assists, orchestrating a renaissance in the Motor City. While his raw scoring numbers trail the leaders, being the best player on the NBA's best team historically holds massive weight with voters.
Lurking further down the ladder is Victor Wembanyama (+3500). The San Antonio Spurs phenom is a lock for Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league with 2.7 blocks per game. While his offensive leap has been terrifying, he has already missed 14 games. One more minor injury could disqualify him from MVP consideration entirely.
With Luka Dončić also making noise in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, the field is loaded. Yet, as we head into March, the narrative belongs to the Thunder’s consistency, Detroit’s surprise dominance, and the ever-looming presence of Jokić.
