Shai Gilgeous-Alexander widens MVP lead over Nikola Jokic in latest ESPN poll

There are plenty of worthy candidates and compelling stories The race for the 2025-26 NBA MVPso much so that some fans think the prize is in the works. The latest ESPN poll suggests otherwise. Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in a position to retain his crown.

A panel of 100 members of the local, national and international media overwhelmingly believe the 27-year-old custodian is the man to beat. Gilgeous-Alexander received 78 first-place votes, eclipsing it Nikola Jokic (18), Cade Cunningham (1), Victor Vembanyama (3) and the rest of the field. With a 230-point lead, the consensus is that a player will win back-to-back MVP honors for the seventh time since 2006.

A lot has changed since then ESPN’s first poll back in December. Gilgeus-Aleksandar and Jokic were in a tight battle, with only 15 votes for first place and 43 total points separating them from second place. Luka Doncic was also safe in third place. After another injury, the NBA’s scoring leader (points per game) lost a significant streak and finished fifth in the second poll. The Los Angeles Lakers’ standing in the Western Conference standings (fifth) could be a factor.

The Thunder have held onto first place in the West all season (the San Antonio Spurs are close, though). Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player for what many predict will be the league’s first repeat champion in eight years. Durability is also in his favor.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might just outlast his competitors

Although the 2025 NBA Finals MVP is currently nursing an abdominal strain, he has only missed seven games to this point in the campaign. Jokic is dangerously close to falling below the mandatory 65-game requirement (he can only miss one more competition), and Vembanjama and Doncic themselves don’t have much wiggle room. Cunningham, who played in 48 of a possible 54 games, could emerge as Gilgeous-Alexander’s biggest competition.

It’s important to note that these votes were counted before the Detroit Pistons cornerstone rolled into Madison Square Garden and torched the New York Knicks for 42 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recovers from injury, Cade Cunningham has the perfect opportunity to impress voters with his superior all-around skill set. He also leads a team that currently boasts the best record in the NBA.

The Thunder and Pistons face each other at Little Caesars Arena next Wednesday, but on the basis latest updateOKC could be without their top guy for that potential MVP showcase. Cunningham can still win favor by dominating, something he’ll need to do a lot if there’s going to be any uncertainty around this prize race.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a career-high 55.4 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from 3-point range. The three-time All-NBA First Team selection is in the midst of a truly masterful piece, and his trophy collection reflects that. Assuming he can return to action fairly quickly, Gilgeous-Alexander may need to make room for more hardware.