Full Breakdown
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Emerges as NBA MVP Favorite for 2025-26 Season
4/13/2026, 12:32:04 PM
Poll Results Highlight Player Support for Gilgeous-Alexander
In a recent anonymous poll conducted by The Athletic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been identified as the frontrunner for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2025-26 season. Out of 159 players surveyed, Gilgeous-Alexander received 39 percent of the votes, significantly ahead of his closest competitor, Nikola Jokic, who garnered 21.4 percent. Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, and Luka Doncic each received 8.2 percent, tying for third place.
Players praised Gilgeous-Alexander's consistency throughout the season, particularly in light of injuries affecting his teammates. One voter noted, "Shai has been super consistent... he scores at least 20 every night." This performance has contributed to the Thunder's position as the top team in the Western Conference.
Context of the MVP Race
The poll results reflect a broader consensus among NBA media and players regarding Gilgeous-Alexander's impact this season. Notably, Victor Wembanyama, the highly-touted rookie, finished sixth in the poll with 5 percent of the votes. The Athletic's polling began in late February, which may have influenced the perspectives of early respondents who prioritized the contributions of players like Brown and Cunningham, who have also excelled this season.
Cunningham, however, will not be eligible for the MVP award due to the league's 65-game minimum requirement, as he has played 62 games with only two remaining. Doncic, who is also facing eligibility issues after suffering a hamstring injury, has filed a grievance regarding his missed games, which could affect his candidacy.
Official Statements & Responses
The results of the poll indicate a clear preference among players for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been consistently recognized in media discussions as a leading MVP candidate. ESPN's Tim Bontemps conducted a separate straw poll that echoed this sentiment, placing Wembanyama in second, followed by Jokic and Doncic.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the strong support for Gilgeous-Alexander, there are dissenting opinions regarding the MVP race. Some players believe that Jokic, often regarded as one of the best players in the league, deserves more recognition. One voter remarked that Jokic is "probably the best player on the planet," highlighting the competitive nature of the MVP discussion.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the player poll indicates a strong preference for Gilgeous-Alexander, discrepancies exist between player and media opinions. Bontemps' media poll places Wembanyama higher than Jokic, contrasting with the player poll results. This divergence raises questions about the criteria used by different groups in evaluating MVP candidates.
What's Next
As the regular season approaches its conclusion, the MVP race will continue to evolve, particularly as players finalize their eligibility statuses. The outcome of Doncic's grievance regarding his missed games may also influence the final MVP considerations. The announcement of the official MVP award is anticipated following the conclusion of the regular season.
