The Top 5 MVP candidates remain intact at the All-Star break but an exciting finish with plenty of movement seems likely.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 32.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists
His case: He was outstanding in OKC’s crucial 4th quarter game against Miami racking up 14 points with four assists, a pair of rebounds and a steal in the quarter. It’s unusual when OKC finds itself in a tight fourth quarter, but when it does, Gilgeous-Alexander usually helps the Thunder prevail.
Speaking of tight, the race between him and Jokić remains as such as the league pauses for the All-Star break. The finale should be interesting, to say the least, because neither shows any hint of slowing down whatsoever.
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.2 assists
His case: He has 25 triple-doubles this season (nobody else has more than 10).
Even better, the Nuggets are on an eight-game win streak and are slowly creeping up toward second place in the West. That’ll only help “The Joker” with his MVP chances and should get Denver within reasonable distance of OKC, that could get him over the top.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists
His case: He hasn’t been on the floor enough lately to prove his case, having missed the last six games with a calf strain that will keep him from playing in Sunday’s All-Star Game.
That said, Antetokounmpo had such a superior start that this can’t be held against him … unless the league’s No. 2 scorer fails to reach the minimum number of games needed to be considered for the NBA’s end-of-season awards.
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 27 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists
His case: If Antetokounmpo’s injury disqualifies him from award consideration, Tatum is the most likely candidate to move up. He had his best week of 2025, as his last three games consist of the following: 40 points, 33 points and then 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists against the Spurs. Plus he had three turnovers total in those contests.
It’s no surprise that the Celtics have contributed, winning seven of eight to solidify themselves as a strong contender entering the All-Star break.
5. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 24.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists.
His case: The perks of playing alongside a top scorer in Jalen Brunson means you don’t always get the most touches. No matter — after a season-low nine-point output in a loss to Tatum and the Celtics, Towns responded with 40 and 44 points over his next two games.
And he’s still a premier rebounder (who has a chance to win that crown this season) and a solid defender. That’s why he stays in the top five.
The other 6 MVP candidates are listed as honorable mentions:
6. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
7. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
8. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
9. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
10. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
All of these players have been outstanding throughout the season so far as each player does what they do best out there on the court and the future awaits to see what these players have in store whenever it comes towards the playoffs in April.