The NBA MVP race has been very competitive this season. For most of the year, two players have led the conversation, but a new name has recently entered the mix. The three main candidates are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Cade Cunningham.
The current favorite to win the award is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won the MVP last season and is now looking to win it again. He is averaging 31.6 points per game, along with 4.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists, while shooting an impressive 55.1% from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander has helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 51–15 record and the number one seed in the Western Conference. After returning from injury, he has quickly returned to top form.
One of his most impressive performances came on March 9, when the Thunder faced the Denver Nuggets. Oklahoma City won the game, and Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 15 assists to lead his team to victory. Many fans believe that performance helped strengthen his case for the MVP award, and he is currently considered the favorite. Freshman Kayden Jones agrees, “I think this MVP race has been great, but with the way Shai is playing, he has to win the MVP.”
The second major candidate is Nikola Jokić. He is averaging 28.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, making him essentially a “walking triple-double.” He is also shooting 57.4% from the field. Jokić has helped guide the Denver Nuggets to a 40–26 record and the number five seed in the Western Conference. One criticism of his play recently has been turnovers, but aside from that, his overall performance has been outstanding. The main reason he sits behind Gilgeous-Alexander in the race is that many believe Shai has outplayed him this season, especially in their head-to-head matchups.
The final candidate is Cade Cunningham. He is averaging 24.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 10 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Cunningham has led the Detroit Pistons to a 47–18 record and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. His MVP case is largely based on how he has transformed the Pistons. Just two years ago, the team finished 14–68 and even lost 28 games in a row, setting an NBA record. The team struggled so much that fans were chanting for ownership to sell the franchise. However, Cunningham helped change the culture, and the Pistons are now legitimate championship contenders.
While the MVP race has mostly centered around two players, Cade Cunningham has made a strong push into the conversation. For now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be the clear favorite, but with the season still ongoing, the race could still change.
