This description was generated by AI.

Resolution criteria

The NBA MVP award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada, with each voter selecting five players ranked from first to fifth place. Voters rank their top 5 MVP candidates, with points awarded on a 10-7-5-3-1 basis, and the player with the highest point total wins the award. Players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for MVP, with a player needing to be credited with at least 20 minutes played per game. The market resolves to the player officially named the 2025-26 NBA MVP by the NBA.

Background

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander maintains his place at the top of the MVP race, even as Nikola Jokić is heating up. At midseason, Gilgeous-Alexander has the neatest MVP case, averaging 31.9 points, 6.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 54.7% from the field, 39.6% from three and 88.8% at the line. Oklahoma City's commanding position as the top team in the league makes Gilgeous-Alexander a favorite to pick up back-to-back MVP awards. Jokić was in the middle of another historic campaign before his December knee injury, highlighted by a 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist performance against Minnesota — the first stat line of its kind in NBA history. Luka Dončić continues to lead the NBA with 34.7 points per game and a league-high 36.7% usage rate.

Considerations

The NBA's 65-game minimum for award eligibility has made the races feel more open and, in some cases, more fragile. Victor Wembanyama has had an injury-riddled campaign thanks to persistent knee problems, and with the 65-game rule looming, missed time could turn the award into a non-starter regardless of how dominant he has been when healthy.

This description was generated by AI.