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3w ago

Players’ Poll Puts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Out Front in MVP Race

Player sentiment now mirrors media polls.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 9: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder box out Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during a free throw during the first half at Paycom Center on March 9, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walks down the court after a play against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The Athletic’s anonymous survey of 159 players, published Friday, gave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 39% of votes for MVP.
  • Nikola Jokic placed second at 21.4% in the poll, with Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, and Luka Dončić next at 8.2% each.
  • Victor Wembanyama ranked sixth at 5% after responses gathered over the past two months, reflecting a snapshot taken before some late-season shifts.
  • The poll did not apply the NBA’s 65-game minimum, while Dončić has challenged his 64-game tally and Cunningham’s missed time clouds eligibility.
  • ESPN’s final straw poll and major sportsbooks also favor Gilgeous-Alexander, as media debate over an OKC depth hypothetical highlights his 31.1 points per game versus Brandin Podziemski’s 13.7.