Shai Gilgeous-Alexander regained first place after Nikola Jokic’s injury

The 2025-26 NBA MVP race is shaping up to be a race that comes down to who actually remains eligible. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to become the 13th player in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards, while Nikola Jokic has made a very compelling case to win his fourth MVP award in the last six seasons.

However, Jokic has not played since December 29 as a result hyperextended his left knee and suffered a bone bruise. Although it is Denver Nuggets star continues to make good progress and is starting to do light work on the court, it seems he still has work to do to get the green light and get back on the court.

This has led many to question whether Jokic will actually qualify for awards and All-NBA status this season, especially since he has already missed 11 straight games and will miss another on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

As a result of Jokic’s absence and dangerously close to the 17-miss limit, Gilgeous-Alexander is back at No. 1 on ClutchPoints’ NBA MVP rankings.

Will anyone be able to catch Oklahoma City Thunder MVP, or will he etch his name in the history books next to Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and other legends in NBA history?

Here’s how the top 10 NBA MVP rankings look after the halfway point in the 2025-26 season.

Previous 2023-24 NBA MVP Rankings: Sunday the 12th | Sunday 11 | 10th week | 9th week | 8th week | week 7 | 6th week | 5th week | 4th week | 3rd week | 2nd week | 1st week

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Previous rank: #2

2025-26 Stats: 41 games, 31.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 54.7 FG%, 39.6 3P%

Not only did Gilgeus-Alexander average 31.0 points per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, but he ended up earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors. This is the third time SGA has been presented with the award This season’s player of the week awardthe most in the league.

In addition to being Player of the Week again, Gilgeous-Alexander extended his historic 20-point streak to 113 consecutive games. That streak was threatened Thursday against the Houston Rockets, as the Thunder guard had a season-low 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting in a 111-91 win against Houston.

Gilgeous-Alexander is closing in on Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive 20-plus point games, which would surely improve his MVP resume.

2. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets*

Previous rank: #1

2025-26 stats: 32 games, 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 60.5 FG%, 43.5 3P%

Whether NBA MVP voters penalize Jokic for missing games, assuming he returns on time and doesn’t miss more than 17 games, is the big question in this MVP race. Looking at his numbers and impact alone, there’s no arguing that Jokic put together one of the most historic seasons in NBA history in just 32 games.

But again, availability matters because of the 65-game minimum rule, and that could only sink Jokic’s chances of winning another MVP award.

Even if Jokic returns in a week or two, in good standing with the rules of participation, he won’t be able to miss a game the rest of the way. If that happens and Jokic remains available for Denver, it will be hard to argue against him winning this race over Gilgeous-Alexander.

Previous rank: #3

2025-26 Stats: 38 games, 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 49.1 FG%, 36.7 3P%

Aside from Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic remaining at the top of the MVP rankings, there is definitely a debate about the next group of players and where they will be in the race for the award. Jaylen Brown is one of those players, like his sensational year in Boston continues.

Brown has scored at least 25 points in seven of his last eight games, including five in a row. Not only is Brown scoring big, but he’s leading the Celtics to wins to put them in sole possession of the 2 seed in the Eastern Conference behind only the Detroit Pistons.

As a result of Brown’s recent hot streak, he now ranks fourth in scoring this season behind only Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončićand Tirese McKay.

4. Luka Doncic – Los Angeles Lakers*

Previous rank: #4

2025-26 Stats: 33 games, 33.3 points, 8.6 assists, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 46.4 FG%, 33.7 3P%

A very convincing argument could be made for Doncic to be ahead of Brown in the MVP rankings, especially since the Los Angeles Lakers star leads the league with 33.3 points per game. Doncic also ranks fourth in assists and ninth in steals, proving he’s more than just the league’s leading scorer this year.

The only players in Lakers history averaged more points than Doncic this season it’s Elgin Baylor and Kobe Bryant. While Baylor averaged over 33.3 points per game in three different seasons with the Lakers, Bryant averaged 35.4 points per game during the 2005-06 season.

At this point, Doncic’s only way to truly be in the mix for the MVP award seems to be if he can get the Lakers moving in the right direction in the Western standings.

Previous rank: #7

2025-26 Stats: 28 games, 24.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 3.0 assists, 2.6 blocks, 51.6 FG%, 38.2 3P%

Victor Wembanyama has a new look on the pitchas he and Keldon Johnson decided to shave their heads after a 119-98 loss to the Thunder on Jan. 13. Since then, the San Antonio Spurs haven’t lost a game, with Wemby leading the team’s top-rated offense.

After a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, Wembanyama spoiled Anthony Edwards’ career-high 55-point night with 39 of his own.

As long as Wemby is healthy, he and the Spurs have a chance to make a lot of noise in the Western Conference playoffs. The problem for Vembanyama in the MVP race is that he can miss three more games to remain eligible for end-of-season honors.

It’s just missing the cut

6. Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons (ranked #6 last week)

7. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks (ranked fifth last week)

8. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 9 last week)

9. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks (ranked 8th last week)*

10. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns (ranked 10th last week)

*Signals player is in danger of reaching the minimum threshold of 65 games for awards/recognition.