The Eastern Conference has been nothing short of a thriller in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the race for the Larry Bird Award—the Eastern Conference Finals MVP—is heating up. After a first round full of surprises, including three Game 7s and the shocking elimination of the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics, the odds have shifted dramatically. Let's break down the top contenders.
Leading the pack is New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, now the favorite at +160 odds on FanDuel. Brunson has been a model of consistency, averaging over 26 points per game in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks. His high usage and ability to deliver in clutch moments have made him the engine of a Knicks team that now looks like the conference's team to beat. If New York keeps rolling, Brunson's steady hand could easily earn him the MVP nod.
Hot on his heels is Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham at +200. Cunningham's first-round series against Orlando was a tale of two halves—after falling behind 3-1, he erupted, averaging an incredible 36.3 points per game in the final three contests to lead the Pistons to a stunning comeback win. That kind of takeover ability has vaulted him into the top two, and he'll look to carry that momentum into the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell sits third at +600, but his path to the award is a bit rockier. The Cavaliers advanced past Toronto, but Mitchell struggled against the Raptors' defense, posting just 23.1 points per game on 43% shooting—a dip from his regular-season averages of 27.9 points and 48% from the field. Mitchell will need to rediscover his All-Star form quickly, especially with a second-round showdown against Cunningham and the Pistons looming. The winner of that series is likely to get a significant odds boost.
Beyond the top three, the field is still packed with All-Star talent capable of stealing the spotlight. Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns (+1200) has been a defensive anchor for New York, helping close out the Hawks with improved play on that end of the floor. While his offensive numbers may not jump off the page, his versatility makes him a dark horse if the Knicks make a deep run.
As the Eastern Conference semifinals tip off, the MVP race is wide open. Whether it's Brunson's consistency, Cunningham's explosiveness, or a surprise performance from a star like Mitchell or Towns, one thing is certain: the next few weeks will be must-watch basketball.