Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Secures Kia MVP Crown as Season Concludes
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a historic 2025-26 season and claimed the Kia MVP honor as the league concluded its regular slate. He posted a 127-game streak of 20-plus point outings and averaged 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists.
The MVP race and its balance
The top three finishers all held the No. 1 spot on the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder during the year. That rotation reflected a tight, competitive field rather than one dominant favorite.
Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama pushed the conversation to the wire. Each delivered signature seasons that forced weekly reassessments of the rankings.
Top 10 finishers and season snapshots
| Rank | Player | Team | Season Stats (PPG/RPG/APG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | 31.1 / 4.3 / 6.6 |
| 2 | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets | 27.7 / 12.9 / 10.7 |
| 3 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | 25.0 / 11.5 / 3.1 (blocks) |
| 4 | Luka Dončić | Los Angeles Lakers | 33.5 / 7.7 / 8.3 |
| 5 | Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | 28.7 / 6.9 / 5.1 |
| 6 | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons | 23.9 / 5.5 / 9.9 |
| 7 | Jalen Johnson | Atlanta Hawks | 22.5 / 10.3 / 7.9 |
| 8 | Kawhi Leonard | LA Clippers | 27.9 / 6.4 / 3.6 |
| 9 | Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets | 26.0 / 5.5 / 4.8 |
| 10 | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | 27.9 / 4.5 / 5.7 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: why he won
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered unmatched consistency across the entire season. He combined elite scoring, excellent efficiency, and steady availability.
He shot 55.3 percent while posting his 30-point average. The Thunder finished with 64 wins and the West’s top seed.
Nikola Jokić: unprecedented versatility
Jokić averaged a triple-double and led the league in both rebounds and assists. He finished with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.
He missed 17 games yet still led the NBA in total assists. Injuries limited Denver’s bid for the top seed.
Victor Wembanyama: defensive dominance and offensive growth
Wembanyama led the league in blocks at 3.1 per game. He produced multiple 40-point outings, including a 40-point debut against Dallas.
The Spurs reached 62 wins while he averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds. He often played under 30 minutes per night.
Other notable campaigns
Luka Dončić paced the league in scoring at 33.5 points. He produced a historic March that included 60- and 50-point games.
Jaylen Brown carried a heavier load with Jayson Tatum sidelined. Brown averaged 28.7 points and delivered career numbers across the board.
Cade Cunningham helped Detroit claim the East’s top seed and averaged 9.9 assists. Jalen Johnson emerged as a franchise-caliber multi-tool player for Atlanta.
Kawhi Leonard enjoyed his healthiest regular season and shot over 50 percent. Kevin Durant, at 37, remained an elite scorer after joining Houston.
Donovan Mitchell again finished among the league’s top fourth-quarter producers, leading Cleveland through key stretches.
The wider field
- Other contributors in the conversation included Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
- Jalen Duren, Tyrese Maxey, and Jamal Murray also drew MVP attention.
The 2025-26 MVP Ladder showcased a season of tight margins and elite performances. Filmogaz.com will continue coverage as the postseason unfolds.
