Featured Image: San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama dunks during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on Mar. 30, 2026. ( Photo Credits/ NBA)

With the SoFi NBA play-in tournament starting in just two weeks on Apr. 14, 2026, and the Playoffs starting on Apr. 18, 2026, the NBA regular season is almost up. With that, MVP conversations are starting to catch fire.

In the latest updated MVP ladder per NBA, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has taken over the Number one spot. Just following is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Most of the Season Gilgeous-Alexander has lead the MVP race averaging 31.6 points per game (PPG), 4.4 rebounds per game (RPG) and 6.5 assists per game (APG). Gilgeous-Alexander, despite falling to second, still has an impressive resume for his MVP case.

On top of the game averages, Gilgeous-Alexander has the most 30-point games in under 30 minutes per game and the least turnovers per game by a 30-point scorer. Also this season he has surpassed a record held by the all-time great Wilt Chamberlain with the most consecutive games scoring 20+. The previous record was 126 games and Gilgeous-Alexander would surpass Chamberlain hitting 127 games and counting.

For Wembanyama, his argument looks quite different. On top of being the current MVP favorite, Wembanyama per Fox Sports is also the favorite for defensive player of the year. Wembanyama leads the NBA in blocks per game (BPG) with 3.1 BPG and total blocks with 184. Wembanyama also adds 24.5 PPG, 11.4 RPG and 3.1 APG all while averaging under 30 minutes a game.

As we inch closer to the end of the season it seems that the MVP race is solidified, although there are still a few making a push.

Currently in third on the ladder is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić. Jokić is an already three-time NBA MVP and does not have as strong of a case as the last two guys, but thats not to take away from the impressive season he has had as he is the only guy on the list averaging a triple double. Jokić averages 27.9 PPG, 12.9 RPG and 10.8 APG.

On the next updated NBA MVP ladder, do not be surprised if Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić jumps up to third or even second.  Dončić is averaging 33.8 PPG along with 7.8 RPG and 8.3 APG. Since his last 10 games Dončić has had five 40+ point performances and even one 60 point game against the Miami Heat on Mar. 19, 2026.

For any of these guys to be eligible for NBA awards you do have to play in 65 total games Meaning you can only miss 17 games to remain eligible. listed below is how many games all four of these guys have missed so far and if they are eligible as of now-

• Victor Wembanyama – 15 missed games – Not yet eligible
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 11 missed games – Eligible
• Nikola Jokić – 16 missed games – Not yet eligible
• Luka Dončić – 12 Missed games – Not yet eligible

Taking both availability and production into account, here is how I would vote on the MVP race unfolding.

If I had a vote it would be between Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander has a great case with how consistent he has been. All season he has not had a game where he has scored less then 20 and once again is leading the Thunder to be a one seed team. Last season the Thunder were a one seed with Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm, where he won NBA MVP, finals MVP and led the team to a championship win. The difference between last season and now is that he is performing at a better rate against harder competition.

Wembanyama has been the best defender in the NBA this season. Along with that he is also one of the top offense players this season averaging a 2o+ point double-double all while averaging less then 30 minutes per game.  Winning MVP would also make Wembanyama the youngest MVP. On top of it making him the youngest, it would also make him the second MVP to Play less then 2000 minutes on the regular season.

With all things considered, I believe we are in for one of the best playoff runs that we have had in a while, but for my MVP vote and prediction I would give them both to Wembanyama.