The NBA’s MVP race has a familiar look at the top in the latest straw poll update, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic leading the way.
But the conversation around the award is being shaped as much by availability as performance. Under current league rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for major awards, including MVP. With several contenders in danger of missing that threshold, the race has taken on an added layer of urgency.
Availability becomes central
As the season progresses, the 65-game requirement is looming over the field of candidates. Any player who falls short of the minimum would be removed from consideration, tightening the pool and placing greater emphasis on who remains eligible.
Leaders at the forefront
Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic sit atop the updated poll, reflecting their standing among voters at this stage of the season. The update underscores how closely the race is being tracked—and how quickly it can shift based on games played.
With the eligibility threshold in play, the MVP discussion is no longer just about production. It’s also about being on the floor often enough to qualify.