The race for the 2025-26 NBA MVP is heating up as the regular season winds down, but among the players themselves, there seems to be a surprising consensus. In a revealing anonymous poll conducted by The Athletic, nearly one-third of the league—159 players in total—weighed in on who deserves the coveted award, and the results point decisively toward one superstar.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the clear favorite, capturing a commanding 39% of the vote. This overwhelming player endorsement positions him for what could be his second consecutive MVP trophy, a testament to his sustained dominance and respect from his peers. His lead is substantial, nearly doubling the support for the next contender, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, who finished with 21.4%.
The poll highlights the challenging landscape of this year's race, marked by significant injuries to other top candidates. Notably, stars like the Lakers' Luka Dončić and the Pistons' Cade Cunningham, who each received 8.2% of the vote alongside the Celtics' Jaylen Brown, are technically ineligible for the official award due to the league's 65-game minimum rule. Dončić, sidelined for the season, is even challenging the rule, adding another layer of drama to the proceedings.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, who has publicly stated his MVP ambitions, found less traction among his fellow players, finishing sixth with just 5% of the vote. This suggests that while his talent is undeniable, the player community views Gilgeous-Alexander's body of work this season as unparalleled.
Statistically, SGA has backed up this peer admiration. He sits second in the league in scoring, hot on the heels of the injured Dončić with a couple of games left to potentially claim the scoring title. More than just numbers, his leadership in keeping the Thunder at the forefront of a loaded Western Conference has solidified his case. As the official voting approaches, this player poll sends a powerful message: in the eyes of those who share the court with him night after night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP.