This 2025-26 NBA season has gotten off to a tremendous start. We have already seen incredible games, and the league’s biggest superstars have also delivered some truly exceptional performances. The cream of the crop is playing better than ever, and that, in turn, means we could potentially have an MVP race for the ages this time around.
You can put together a case for a fair few big names in the league, but four of them might have separated themselves from the pack at this early stage.
Nikola Jokic
2025-26 averages: 29.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.8 blocks per game
Denver Nuggets’ Record: 10-3
Nikola Jokic has finished in the top two in MVP voting in each of the last five seasons and has taken home the award three times. Jokic put together some spectacular seasons for that, but this one might just be his best yet. He is leading the NBA in four major categories, including rebounds and assists.
The only player ever to have led the league in both categories in the same season is Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68), which indicates just how special a start this has been.
Jokic has the Denver Nuggets second in the West as well, and there is a good chance they finish the season in that exact same spot. Monstrous stats and an excellent team record usually put you in pole position to win MVP, but he will face some stiff competition.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2025-26 averages: 31.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks per game
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Record: 14-1
Shai Gilgeous-Aleander’s stats aren’t quite as impressive as Jokic’s, but they need to be put into context. Gilgeous-Alexander has sat out for the entire fourth quarter in nine of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 15 games so far. It’s remarkable that the reigning MVP has even put up those numbers with how often he’s sitting on the bench because the game is already won.
Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder primed to finish with the best record in the NBA once again. They have also won all of these games without Jalen Williams, who is still recovering from offseason wrist surgery.
Sure, the Thunder have gotten contributions from all over the place to make up for Williams’ absence, but Gilgeous-Alexander is the biggest reason for their success. Much like Jokic, the Canadian would be a lock for MVP in most seasons, but not this one.
Luka Doncic
2025-26 averages: 34.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks per game
Los Angeles Lakers’ Record: 10-4
Luka Doncic was being backed to win MVP before the start of the season, and he certainly hasn’t disappointed so far. Doncic is the league’s leading scorer and has been on a tear for the Los Angeles Lakers. Like the Thunder, the Lakers, too, have been without a big piece in LeBron James, but the Slovenian has ensured the ship didn’t sink in his absence.
The question here is how much will Doncic’s stats drop once James returns, and he could be back for their next game against the Utah Jazz. If the numbers remain comparable and the Lakers start winning at an even better rate, then the five-time All-Star could take home the MVP award for the first time in his career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
2025-26 averages: 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 blocks per game
Milwaukee Bucks’ Record: 8-7
The last time Giannis Antetokounmpo finished outside the top four in MVP voting was the 2017-18 season, which is just mind-boggling. Antetokounmpo has been churning out one great season after another, and this one is no different. He is averaging over 30 points on better than 60% shooting from the field for the third season in a row.
Now, the Milwaukee Bucks‘ record is not as good as that of the other teams, but that’s down to the lack of talent around Antetokounmpo. He is the only player on the Bucks’ roster to have ever made an All-Star team.
If Antetokounmpo is able to lead the Bucks to a top-four seed in the East, he will have a very strong case for MVP. Unfortunately, though, the nine-time All-Star suffered a big blow in that quest on Monday.
Antetokounmpo suffered a groin injury in the 118-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and is set for an MRI. If the 30-year-old is out for a significant period of time, then the Bucks are in trouble. Antetokounmpo would also then be at risk of not playing 65 games in order to be eligible for MVP, which would be a shame.
An injury played a role in our only having four players here instead of five, as Victor Wembanyama has now officially been sidelined for at least a few weeks due to a left calf strain. Wembanyama will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks, and you wouldn’t fancy his chances of playing 65 games as things stand. Despite slowing down a bit after his ridiculous start, he would have been in the mix with the other four if not for this setback.
