The Denver Nuggets' big man still reigns supreme among the latest NBA MVP ladder. Despite missing some extended time for the Denver Nuggets with a hyperextended left knee, three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic is still atop the current leaderboard to take home the award once again this season.

With the calendar turning to the New Year, the NBA MVP race is starting to take real shape. Contenders are separating themselves, storylines are forming, and sportsbooks are adjusting quickly based on performances and team success.

Nikola Jokic owns the to spot in the NBA MVP rankings over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander entering 2026 after his dominant Christmas performance.

The Joker went bananas with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 142-138 OT win versus Minnesota on Christmas Day. Denver won that game despite being down three starters and what’s more impressive was Jokic scoring 18 points in OT! Those 18 OT points broke Steph Curry ‘s record of 17 points in 2016.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo seems increasingly likely to spend the remainder of this season with his current team.

Reggie Miller believes that the Pistons' Cade Cunningham should be near the top of the NBA MVP conversation. The Detroit Pistons have been in a stellar vein of form ever since the season started, perched at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 27-9 record. And the biggest reason for their current position is none other than Cade Cunningham.

ESPN's Kevin Pelton analyzes the shifting NBA MVP landscape, detailing why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's consistency and team record may be too much for Luka Doncic to overcome.

The Lakers’ LeBron James, of course, might no longer be an All-NBA player at age 41 after making one of the teams for the last 21 consecutive seasons. But the league will take the bat out of voters’ hands to decide if James misses just two more games.