Who do you think wins MVP this season? (2025-26 NBA MVP Discussion Thread)

[Infinite Llamas]

That's wasn't a very good game for SGA's MVP case, OKC won by 30 points without SGA. I think it's a similar situation as with the Spurs, OKC is probably as good without SGA as it is with him. If your team is winning by 30 points without you then you aren't the the most valuable player are you? Meanwhile the Lakers won thanks to Luka's 31 / 15 / 11 triple double while their bench scored only 10 points. Now that's a text book most valuable player situation.

At this point the race is between Luka and Jokic with Luka in the clear lead. I feel Jokic has to improve his defense and rim protection to have a chance.

Jokic 17 wins
Luka 13 wins
That’s what is separating them right now. Jokic hasn’t missed a game yet. Reaves looked like a demigod when Luka was out.

[hagredionis]

Sga scoring at 0.98 points per minute at 69%TS 56/44/88 shooting split. That efficiency on that scoring volume from a big is incredible coming from a guard is unbelievable. Okc on pace to break gsw record. Should he sustain this efficiency and producfion this is runaway mvp for sga.


For reference remember how good of a shooter Steve Nash Dirk and Steph Curry were at their peak?

Dirk mvp season

24 8 and 3 on
60.5 TS% 50/40/90

Steph Curry mvp season

30 6 and 5 on
66.9 TS% 50/45/90

Steve Nash mvp season

18 10 and 4 on
63% TS 51/44/92

That's all well and good but this isn't the "best efficiency award" it's the MVP - most valuable player. It's hard to argue a guy is "most valuable" if his is winning easily without him by a huge margins of 30 points.

[hagredionis]

That's wasn't a very good game for SGA's MVP case, OKC won by 30 points without SGA. I think it's a similar situation as with the Spurs, OKC is probably as good without SGA as it is with him. If your team is winning by 30 points without you then you aren't the the most valuable player are you? Meanwhile the Lakers won thanks to Luka's 31 / 15 / 11 triple double while their bench scored only 10 points. Now that's a text book most valuable player situation.

At this point the race is between Luka and Jokic with Luka in the clear lead. I feel Jokic has to improve his defense and rim protection to have a chance.

Jokic 17 wins
Luka 13 wins
That’s what is separating them right now. Jokic hasn’t missed a game yet. Reaves looked like a demigod when Luka was out.

Jokic has two teammates who has scored 50 points this season, that's demigod level of scoring. In any case Luka is clearly ahead because of Jokic's defensive struggles.

[HotRocks34]

I didn't think that Luka could have a better year than his last full year in Dallas with 33/9/9. But he's on pace for it now.

Thank you Nico!

[Mavrelous]

I didn't think that Luka could have a better year than his last full year in Dallas with 33/9/9. But he's on pace for it now.

Thank you Nico!

*34/9/10

[Chokic]

Sga scoring at 0.98 points per minute at 69%TS 56/44/88 shooting split. That efficiency on that scoring volume from a big is incredible coming from a guard is unbelievable. Okc on pace to break gsw record. Should he sustain this efficiency and producfion this is runaway mvp for sga.


For reference remember how good of a shooter Steve Nash Dirk and Steph Curry were at their peak?

Dirk mvp season

24 8 and 3 on
60.5 TS% 50/40/90

Steph Curry mvp season

30 6 and 5 on
66.9 TS% 50/45/90

Steve Nash mvp season

18 10 and 4 on
63% TS 51/44/92

That's all well and good but this isn't the "best efficiency award" it's the MVP - most valuable player. It's hard to argue a guy is "most valuable" if his is winning easily without him by a huge margins of 30 points.

Im small sample sizes yes there has been instances where teams have won even without their best player. Most recently spurs were playing better without Wemby. In 2024 mavs were 5-1 without Luka. Nuggets were even winning some games without jokic..in the long run are those teams a better team without their best player? these are still professional basketball players they know how to play the game and can rise to several occasions if need be even w/o their star especially if team chemistry is high and continuity. Okc core of sga lu sort chet holmgren jalen williams has been together for 4 seasons. Sga and Dort specifically have been together on okc for 7 sesons. All the great teams in sports have continuity college basketball teams best euroleague teams Duncan Parker Ginobili Spurs Jordan Pippen Rodman Bulls Curry Klay Draymond warriors etc. High production and high efficiency is the strongest metric for impact not sure what your argument is.

[HotRocks34]

I didn't think that Luka could have a better year than his last full year in Dallas with 33/9/9. But he's on pace for it now.

Thank you Nico!

If Luka were able to hold these averages, and I doubt that he can, I think it would be the best (PPG + RPG + APG) NBA season since Kareem in 1972.

KAJ 1972
34.8/16.6/4.6
56.0 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Luka 2026 so far*
35.0/9.2/9.1
53.3 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Luka 2024
33.9/9.2/9.8
52.9 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Russ 2017
31.6/10.7/10.4
52.7 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Jokic 2025
29.6/12.7/10.2
52.5 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Jokic 2026*
29.2/12.3/11.0
52.5 (PPG + RPG + APG)

[hagredionis]

I didn't think that Luka could have a better year than his last full year in Dallas with 33/9/9. But he's on pace for it now.

Thank you Nico!

If Luka were able to hold these averages, and I doubt that he can, I think it would be the best (PPG + RPG + APG) NBA season since Kareem in 1972.

KAJ 1972
34.8/16.6/4.6
56.0 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Luka 2026 so far*
35.0/9.2/9.1
53.3 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Luka 2024
33.9/9.2/9.8
52.9 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Russ 2017
31.6/10.7/10.4
52.7 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Jokic 2025
29.6/12.7/10.2
52.5 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Jokic 2026*
29.2/12.3/11.0
52.5 (PPG + RPG + APG)

It has to be pointed out that as great as KAJ was in 1972 the talent was split between the NBA and the ABA where many top players like Dr J played so Luka in fact already holds the record for the unified NBA.

[Doctor MJ]

Just thought it was informative to list out the which players' teams have had the most success on the floor this season.
I've limited it to two players per team so we can get to all those getting traction in this threads a bit sooner:

1. SGA (OKC) +316
2. Carson Wallace (OKC) +256

4. Nikola Jokic (DEN) +223

6. Jalen Brunson (NYK) +198
7. Jalen Duren (DET) + 195
8. Amen Thompson (HOU) +191
9. Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU) +186
10. Jamal Murray (DEN) +180

14. KAT (NYK) +168

16. Neemias Queta (BOS) +165

22. Donovan Mitchell (CLE) +151
23. Cade Cunningham (DET) +150
24. Donte DiVencenzo (MIN) +149
25. Julius Randle (NYK) +146

29. Payton Pritchard (BOS) +136

33. Rudy Gobert (MIN) +127

36. Jaime Jaquez (MIA) +121
37. Quinten Post (GSW) +120

40. Zach Edey (MEM) +113

42. Jimmy Butler (GSW) +110

44. Gradey Dick (TOR) +108
45. Bam Adebayo (MIA) +105

48. Jalen Suggs (ORL) +98

51. Giannis (MIL) +95
52. Devin Vassell (SAS) +90

54. Evan Mobley (CLE) +88
55. Austin Reaves (LAL) +86
56. Sandro Mamukelashvili (TOR) +85
56. Victor Wembanyama (SAS) +85

59. Luka Doncic (LAL) +79

[AleksandarN]

That's wasn't a very good game for SGA's MVP case, OKC won by 30 points without SGA. I think it's a similar situation as with the Spurs, OKC is probably as good without SGA as it is with him. If your team is winning by 30 points without you then you aren't the the most valuable player are you? Meanwhile the Lakers won thanks to Luka's 31 / 15 / 11 triple double while their bench scored only 10 points. Now that's a text book most valuable player situation.

At this point the race is between Luka and Jokic with Luka in the clear lead. I feel Jokic has to improve his defense and rim protection to have a chance.

I agree that Luka is ahead of Joker. And has been for a while.

Leading a 17-6 team that has no business being this good and doing so while the Lakers have been injury plagued all year. Defense isn't as awful as Jokic's either. Luka clearly ahead.

That’s not why the lakers are performing that well this season. You have Reaves averaging 40 ppg when Luka is out. You could say the reason for such a good record is the vastly improved play of Reaves. Luka is not clearly a head. Everytime man. It’s like wack a mole with you and your takes

[hagredionis]

That's wasn't a very good game for SGA's MVP case, OKC won by 30 points without SGA. I think it's a similar situation as with the Spurs, OKC is probably as good without SGA as it is with him. If your team is winning by 30 points without you then you aren't the the most valuable player are you? Meanwhile the Lakers won thanks to Luka's 31 / 15 / 11 triple double while their bench scored only 10 points. Now that's a text book most valuable player situation.

At this point the race is between Luka and Jokic with Luka in the clear lead. I feel Jokic has to improve his defense and rim protection to have a chance.

I agree that Luka is ahead of Joker. And has been for a while.

Leading a 17-6 team that has no business being this good and doing so while the Lakers have been injury plagued all year. Defense isn't as awful as Jokic's either. Luka clearly ahead.

That’s not why the lakers are performing that well this season. You have Reaves averaging 40 ppg when Luka is out. You could say the reason for such a good record is the vastly improved play of Reaves. Luka is not clearly a head. Everytime man. It’s like wack a mole with you and your takes

It's kind of weird how the Stans go on about Reaves' 40 points but forget to mention that both Gordon and Murray already scored 50 points this season. btw the Lakers' bench only scored 10 points yesterday.

[Archx]

You know what, let Jokic and SGA battle it out for MVP and give this man DPOY

Read on Twitter

[lethalizer]

That's wasn't a very good game for SGA's MVP case, OKC won by 30 points without SGA. I think it's a similar situation as with the Spurs, OKC is probably as good without SGA as it is with him. If your team is winning by 30 points without you then you aren't the the most valuable player are you? Meanwhile the Lakers won thanks to Luka's 31 / 15 / 11 triple double while their bench scored only 10 points. Now that's a text book most valuable player situation.

At this point the race is between Luka and Jokic with Luka in the clear lead. I feel Jokic has to improve his defense and rim protection to have a chance.

I agree that Luka is ahead of Joker. And has been for a while.

Leading a 17-6 team that has no business being this good and doing so while the Lakers have been injury plagued all year. Defense isn't as awful as Jokic's either. Luka clearly ahead.

That’s not why the lakers are performing that well this season. You have Reaves averaging 40 ppg when Luka is out. You could say the reason for such a good record is the vastly improved play of Reaves. Luka is not clearly a head. Everytime man. It’s like wack a mole with you and your takes

You are getting baited by a man who thought the Bucks would need to attach a first round pick in a potential Giannis-Austin Reaves trade, don't do this to yourself

[Optms]

You know what, let Jokic and SGA battle it out for MVP and give this man DPOY

Read on Twitter

Luka just stopped a 4-1 fast break. When the last time we even saw Jokic run the break on defense?

[AleksandarN]

I agree that Luka is ahead of Joker. And has been for a while.

Leading a 17-6 team that has no business being this good and doing so while the Lakers have been injury plagued all year. Defense isn't as awful as Jokic's either. Luka clearly ahead.

That’s not why the lakers are performing that well this season. You have Reaves averaging 40 ppg when Luka is out. You could say the reason for such a good record is the vastly improved play of Reaves. Luka is not clearly a head. Everytime man. It’s like wack a mole with you and your takes

It's kind of weird how the Stans go on about Reaves' 40 points but forget to mention that both Gordon and Murray already scored 50 points this season. btw the Lakers' bench only scored 10 points yesterday.

Who is a Stan now? Btw Reaves is putting up way better numbers than Murray and AG this season. Also AG missed almost half the games

[Cubbies2120]

You know what, let Jokic and SGA battle it out for MVP and give this man DPOY

Read on Twitter

Luka just stopped a 4-1 fast break. When the last time we even saw Jokic run the break on defense?

Just like on offense, he makes up for his physical limitations with using GOAT BBIQ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DZ-0DvOazZU

[mkot]

You know what, let Jokic and SGA battle it out for MVP and give this man DPOY

Read on Twitter

What in insult to that beautiful logo

Luka only a +59 this season is so weird. His +/- is always hard to explain, something you don't usually see from your best player especially as your facilitator

[Archx]

You know what, let Jokic and SGA battle it out for MVP and give this man DPOY

Read on Twitter

What in insult to that beautiful logo

Luka only a +59 this season is so weird. His +/- is always hard to explain, something you don't usually see from your best player especially as your facilitator

He's +79.

But that's actually pretty easy to explain why. OKC, Hawks and Suns games tanked his +/-. He's -78 combined in those 3 losses. When LAL lose, they usually lose big but their wins have mostly been pretty close margins. Lakers lead the league in clutch wins 8-0.... On the other hand his On/Off is not bad, only AR is ahead of him when it comes to starters. And he's 2nd on the team in +/- Per game and 2nd in total +/ even though he played 3 games less than AR.

[Mavrelous]

You know what, let Jokic and SGA battle it out for MVP and give this man DPOY

Read on Twitter

What in insult to that beautiful logo

Luka only a +59 this season is so weird. His +/- is always hard to explain, something you don't usually see from your best player especially as your facilitator

It's not hard to explain...
Jokic has worse +/- since Gordon went down, offensive stars playing on bad defensive teams will always be in uphill battle.
Luka posted +20 on/off post deadline in 2024, when he had great defense behind him.

[Optms]

I didn't think that Luka could have a better year than his last full year in Dallas with 33/9/9. But he's on pace for it now.

Thank you Nico!

If Luka were able to hold these averages, and I doubt that he can, I think it would be the best (PPG + RPG + APG) NBA season since Kareem in 1972.

KAJ 1972
34.8/16.6/4.6
56.0 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Luka 2026 so far*
35.0/9.2/9.1
53.3 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Luka 2024
33.9/9.2/9.8
52.9 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Russ 2017
31.6/10.7/10.4
52.7 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Jokic 2025
29.6/12.7/10.2
52.5 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Jokic 2026*
29.2/12.3/11.0
52.5 (PPG + RPG + APG)

Lebron will be in and out of the lineup all year due to being an old man so that leaves a lot of usage there for Luka. I think what Luka is doing is very sustainable with the likely hood of his scoring even increasing or his assists depending on what direction he wants to attack teams as the season goes on. Looking like its shaping up to be the best season of his career thus far.