Basketball: Who Will Win The NBA MVP Award?

The NBA regular season is over and the play-offs are here. While the play-offs offer the on-court action, the regular season awards are still being decided in the background. Some of the awards have already been given out, but NBA fans are expected to wait a little longer for the big one: the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, given to the best player in the league that season.

Three players have been nominated as finalists for MVP, and three have had historic and legendary seasons. Here’s a breakdown of all three finalists, and why they deserve the MVP award for 2025-2026.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the obvious candidate for MVP. He won the MVP last season, along with the NBA Championship and the Finals MVP, and he’s arguably been even better this year. Shai has been ruthlessly efficient this year, shooting 55% from the field as the first option with high volume. His defense has also been excellent, and he’s been ultra-reliable in clutch situations.

He also broke the all-time record for consecutive 20-point games, overtaking Wilt Chamberlain. His season was historic in many ways, and it still seems like he is the man to beat for the MVP award. Bookmakers certainly think so, as Shai remains the bettor’s favourite for the award. If you’re looking to bet on the NBA MVP, GOAL can help you find the best betting sites in Nigeria that cover the NBA.

Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama has already picked up the first ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year this season, and he’ll be hoping to add an MVP award to that. Wembanyama has been arguably the most impactful player in the league. Due to his 7’6” height, he causes teams to divert their entire offenses and defenses in order to deal with him. His blocking numbers this season are his lowest ever, but only because players are avoiding contesting with him at all costs due to his defensive stature. He is a complete unicorn of a profile, and we’re already seeing how good he’s capable of being.

He is comfortably the best defender in the league, and his offense is also excellent, averaging 25.0 points per game, including 51.2% from the field and 35% from three point range. He also led the San Antonio Spurs to a 4-1 record against Shai’s Oklahoma City Thunder, beating them consistently in the regular season. He certainly has his case over Shai

Nikola Jokic

Jokic has continued to produce at an unprecedented level. Jokic once again averaged a triple-double for the Denver Nuggets, only the third player ever to do so, running one of the best offenses in the league. He continues to single-handedly produce an absurd amount of offense, all while staying incredibly efficient with 57% from the field, with an excellent assist to turnover ratio on high volume.

His team also severely struggles in the minutes without him, proving how literally valuable he is to his team. If he hadn’t been producing at this level consistently for half a decade, he would likely be the MVP favourite, but voters seem to have got used to his level of output.