The race for the Most Valuable Player in the NBA, is unique due to the best players being in danger of not playing enough games to quality for the major awards. A few years ago the NBA implemented a minimum game rule, where players have to play at least 65 games during the regular season to quality for major awards like MVP, defensive player of the year, All-NBA teams, etc.

This rule should not be a big deal, according to the history of the MVP award. The NBA started giving out the MVP award in the 1955-56 season. Since that season, there have only been four players to win the award and play less than 65 games, Bob Cousy played 64 games in the 1956-57 season, Bill Walton played 58 games in the 1977-78 season, Lebron James played 62 games in the 2011-12 season, and Giannis Antetokounmpo played 63 games in the 2019-20 season.

The rule was put in place to dissuade teams from resting their star players. The rule has worked for the most part but this year has had an uncanny amount of injuries to the top players. There are approximately 20-22 games left in the season and these are the top five players in the MVP race and hopefully they still qualify for the award at year’s end.

5. Jaylen Brown

The Boston Celtics were expected to have a down season after their star player, Jayson Tatum, went down with a torn achilles tendon in the playoffs. This injury put Jayson Tatum at a high risk to miss the entire 2025-26 season, but he may return soon. Most fans and experts expected this to be a season where the Celtics geared up for next year but they have exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations.

The Celtics are 40-20 and the second seed in the eastern conference. The player who has led this surprising charge is Jaylen Brown. Brown has played in 54 of the 60 games and should reach the 65 game minimal with no issues. He is averaging 29 points, 7.1 rebounds, and five assists per game, while shooting 48% from the floor and 35% from three. Brown is also one of the better perimeter defenders in the league.

4. Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs are another team that has exceeded everyone’s expectations of them going into this year. The Spurs are 43-17, which is the second best record in the western conference.

Victor Wembanyama may be in danger of not playing enough games to qualify for major awards. He has played in 46 games so far, meaning he has to play in 19 of the remaining 22 games on the schedule. Wembanyama changes a team’s defense in such a dramatic fashion with his ability to protect the rim. San Antonio is third in defensive rating behind his efforts.

He is averaging three blocks per game and effects dozens of plays throughout the game with his presence. The 22-year old is averaging 23.7 points and 11.2 rebounds while shooting 50% from the floor.

3. Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets are 37-24, which is fifth best in the western conference. The offense drives this team’s success in an overwhelming fashion. They are number one is points per game and offensive rating. The offense runs through the brilliance of Nikola Jokic.

Jokic is putting truly incredible numbers, averaging 28.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game while shooting 57% from the floor and 40% from three point range.

The reason Jokic is not number one or two on this list, is how bad the Nuggets are on defense. They are 21st in defensive rating and the lack of interior presence from Jokic is a big factor in that.

Jokic is also in big danger of not playing the minimum of 65 games. He has played in 45 games so far and the Nuggets have 21 games left. Jokic has to play in 20 of those games to qualify for the major awards.

2. Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons have bullied their way into the top seed in the eastern conference. They are currently, 45-14 with ninth in points scored per game and fourth in points allowed per game. They are being led on both ends by Cade Cunningham.

Cunningham is averaging 25.5 points, 9.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and one block per game while shooting 46% from the floor. He is the no-doubt number one option for Detroit and teams are focused on stopping him every night but he is still putting up these numbers.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best record in the NBA at 45-17. The are currently top five in both offensive and defensive rating. The Thunder are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is the defending MVP winner.

SGA is averaging 31.8 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 55% from the floor and 38% from three point range. SGA has had to carry the offense while the Thunder’s second best player Jalen Williams has only played 26 games.

Do you agree with my list? Who do you have on your “MVP ballot”?