Gilgeous-Alexander, Wemby, Jokic finalists for NBA MVP

TL;DR

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic are the finalists for the 2025-26 NBA MVP award. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, led the league with over 30 points per game and guided the Thunder to the best record.

Key points

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning NBA MVP.
Victor Wembanyama leads San Antonio to the playoffs.
Nikola Jokic averaged a triple-double this season.

Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderVictor WembanyamaNikola JokicOklahoma City Thunder

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines the finalists for the 2025-26 award with Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic also in the running (Ryan Sirius Sun) (Ryan Sirius Sun/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines the finalists announced Sunday for this year's award alongside San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Denver's three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Gilgeous-Alexander, who beat out Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the voting last year and was also named NBA Finals MVP as the Thunder beat Indiana for the trophy, averaged more than 30 points per game this season. He led Oklahoma City to the Western Conference top seed and the best record in the league at 64-18. Wembanyama, 22, has been the driving force of San Antonio's first run to the playoffs since 2019, averaging a career-high 25 points per game and a league-best 3.1 blocks. Jokic averaged a triple-double and became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists in the same season. He averaged 27.9 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game. Wembanyama also headlines the finalists for Defensive Player of the Year, with Oklahoma City center and of the also on the ballot. Gilgeous-Alexander is also up for Clutch Player of the Year. He scored 175 points in clutch time, defined as the final five minutes of regulation or overtime when the score is within five points. star and Detroit's , who were both ruled eligible for awards races despite not meeting the 65-game minimum, both failed to make the final MVP ballot. , who was ruled out of the MVP race when his request for an "extraordinary circumstances" exemption from the 65-game rule was denied, is nevertheless among the Clutch Player finalists, which isn't covered by the regulation. The awards, which are voted on by a panel of sports media members, will be announced over the course of the playoffs. bb/amz

Q&A

Who are the finalists for the 2025-26 NBA MVP award?

The finalists are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic.

What were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's stats this season?

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged over 30 points per game and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 64-18 record.

When will the NBA MVP award winners be announced?

The winners will be announced during the course of the playoffs.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Wemby, Jokic finalists for NBA MVP

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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