Nikola Jokić overtook Shaj Giljus-Alexander

Masterful. Awesome. Sensational. Extraordinary. We could go on rattling off words to describe what Nikola Jokic has achieved this season, but three letters that stand out after seeing Denver Nuggets center stage performances at NBA Christmas are MVP.

From the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. Oklahoma City Thunder guard and MVP of the reigning league Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has retained the top spot in this week’s MVP rankings. That’s no longer the case, as Jokic, who was right next to him during this early-season run, took control in the top spot after his an exceptional performance at the holiday.

Jokic and the Nuggets led the Minnesota Timberwolves for most of the game on Christmas Day, until Anthony Edwards left in the fourth quarter. Suddenly, this game was tied in the final seconds, and the two rising rivals headed into overtime, where Jokic scored 18 points in the extra five minutes to lead his team to a 142-138 victory.

When all was said and done, the three-time MVP finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists while shooting 15 of 21 and 22 of 23 from the free throw line. It was Jokic’s 15th triple-double of the season, and his 16th since then with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists in a 127-126 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Not only are Jokic’s triple-doubles and 50-point scoring incredible, but the fact that he’s carrying the Nuggets near the top of the Western standings with Aaron Gordon, Christian Brown and Cam Johnson on the sidelines is crazy to think about.

This is no longer a league where one player can simply dominate and be single-handedly responsible for his team’s championship chances, but that’s what we’re seeing with Jokic. As good as Jamal Murray is, Jokic is the engine and catalyst for the Nuggets’ success.

It’s become abundantly clear that he leads this MVP race heading into 2026 and is well on his way to becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to win the award at least four times in his career. Will Gilgeous-Alexander or anyone be able to catch Jokic in this race?

Right now, it’s up to Jokic to lose.

Previous 2023-24 NBA MVP Rankings: 9th week | 8th week | week 7 | 6th week | 5th week | 4th week | 3rd week | 2nd week | 1st week

1. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

Previous rank: #2

2025-26 stats: 31 games, 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 60.4 FG%, 44.0 3P%

In addition to averaging a triple-double on the season, Jokic continues to find new ways to wow everyone every time he plays. His triple-double of 56 points on Christmas Day was notable, as it is his recent three-game stretch.

Despite Denver losing to the Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic in two of their last three games, Jokic has recorded 119 points, 44 rebounds and 41 assists during this stretch. He is the first player to ever record at least 100 points, 40 rebounds and 40 assists in three games in NBA history.

Add this to the list of records and achievements owned by Jokic. The Nuggets star has done whatever it takes to win over the minds and hearts of NBA MVP voters so far this year, and his performance on the biggest stage during Christmas pushed him ahead of Gilgeous-Alexander.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Previous rank: #1

2025-26 Stats: 31 games, 32.0 points, 6.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 55.6 FG%, 41.9 3P%

Make it 103 straight games now that Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in a game as he continues to approach Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 straight games. At this rate, assuming he doesn’t miss a game between now and then, Gilgeous-Alexander will have a chance to break this record on February 12th against the Milwaukee Bucks.

While his 20-plus point streak is still intact, Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak was put in jeopardy on Christmas Day against the San Antonio Spurs, who held him to a season-low 22 points. Although he scored his 20th point of the game in the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander was held to just two points in the fourth quarter.

The Thunder seemed to he’s been a little rough latelyresulting in a subpar performance from Gilgeous-Alexander compared to what he did earlier this season.

Despite Jokic’s rise in the MVP race, Gilgeous-Alexander is still in the position foremost in the minds of voters for the NBA MVP award, as he finished first in ESPN’s Tim Bontemps straw poll.

3. Luka Dončić – Los Angeles Lakers

Previous rank: #3

2025-26 Stats: 23 games, 33.7 points, 8.6 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 46.2 FG%, 32.4 3P%

Luka Doncic missed another game last week, making him seven of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 30 games this season. He can miss just 10 more games to remain eligible for postseason awards and accolades.

Although Doncic recorded 25 points and seven assists against the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day, it was not enough to overcome a 119-96 home defeat. After the game, JJ Redick cheered his team and Doncic himself took ownership due to the Lakers’ lack of focus.

“Everyone has to put in more effort, starting with me,” Doncic said via Dan Walki of Atlético.

Doncic even said that he is not sure what needs to be changed, but that something “needs to change” going forward for the Lakers to perform at a championship level, they hope to reach the end of the regular season.

From this terrible loss at home, the Lakers bounced back with a 125-101 victory against the Sacramento Kings, a game in which Doncic had 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds. He continues to lead the league with 33.7 points per game entering 2026.

Previous rank: #5

2025-26 stats: 28 games, 29.5 points, 6.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 48.0 FG%, 38.0 3P%

There’s really no denying that the New York Knicks are the best team in the Eastern Conference right now. While the Detroit Pistons may have the better record, the Knicks are coming off the NBA Championship and have won 13 of their last 16 games, not including the NBA Cup.

New York is currently 15-2 at Madison Square Garden this season, the second-best home record in the NBA behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 15-1 at home.

Jaylen Branson has been the main catalyst for the Knicks’ success, and is currently seventh in the NBA in scoring this season. As he continues to do MVP-like things late in games to lift his team to victory, Brunson will continue to garner attention in this MVP race.

How he plays against the San Antonio Spurs in the Knicks’ final game of 2025, as well as how he plays against Detroit in early 2026, will affect his placement in the MVP race.

Previous rank: #4

2025-26 Stats: 29 games, 26.5 points, 9.6 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 46.2 FG%, 33.1 3P%

Cade Cunningham took a small step back in the NBA MVP race, but his numbers are still among the best in the league. It shouldn’t be a shock to see Cunningham start in the All-Star game this season, especially since he’s 12th in goals and second in assists per game.

Cunningham played in all four of the Pistons’ games last week, averaging 23.3 points, 12.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.1 percent from the floor. Only Cunningham and Jokic are averaging at least 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds per game this season.

With two more double-doubles to his name, Cunningham now has 17 such performances this season. Cunningham and Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddy are the only backcourt players in the league with at least 17 double-doubles.

It’s just missing the cut

6. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs (6th place last week)

7. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics (seventh last week)

8. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves (unranked last week)

9. Jaylen Johnson – Atlanta Hawks (No. 8 last week)

10. Alperen Sengun – Houston Rockets (9th last week)