In the latest edition of Shoot Your Shot, Robin Lopez and Rudy Gay break down the MVP race so far.
This is the scoring era in the NBA, made possible by several factors: Floor spacing, increased pace, the 3-point line, more isolation plays and relaxed rules for dribbling (making the crossover possible and popular) and legally getting from one spot on the floor to another (Eurostep, gather step, hop-step, step-through, etc.).
Essentially, the defense has never been at a bigger disadvantage. The game has changed and been tweaked to favor offense. Rim protectors are almost prehistoric now. Physicality has all been eradicated; no more hand checking.
There are 35 players currently averaging 20 points a game, 17 averaging 25 and five averaging 30. If Michael Jordan played in today’s game, he’d probably average 50, and that’s no exaggeration.
Yes, it’s more effortless than ever to score 20 points.
But how often you hit that number and above is what separates you from the points posse and makes you special.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is built specifically for this era. He takes full advantage of what is allowed. He places his hand on the side of the ball mid-dribble to hesitate the dribble and freeze his defender and, with space created, takes the shot. He uses the step-back shot and the pull-up off the dribble.
And he attacks the rim, searching for contact along the way. In this instance, three results can happen and two are good — he misses the shot, makes the shot, or gets fouled. Or maybe makes the shot and gets fouled, which means three good results.
His mastery of mid-range shot creation is unmatched right now. For evidence, Shai is freaky streaky — 94 straight games with at least 20 points, second all-time only to Wilt Chamberlain (126). By comparison, LeBron James’ best streak is 49, Stephen Curry is 23.
Consistency on another level 🔥
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 93 straight games… the 2nd-longest streak in NBA history behind only Wilt Chamberlain!
SGA and the Thunder are one of just four teams ever to start a season 20-1 or better. They look to extend… pic.twitter.com/sJy6SEU1JV
— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2025
With more physicality and hand-checking and clogged lanes, as was the case two decades ago, would Shai be as effective? Hard to tell. But it doesn’t matter. It’s a moot debate. He’s a player of the 2020s. And in this week’s Kia Race to the MVP, he’s sitting at No. 2.
It’s hard to imagine Shai falling on the MVP ladder if this keeps up. Oklahoma City continues to win and Shai continues to get buckets at a historic pace. That’s a convincing combination.
Setting the stage this week: If Luka Doncic returns from a one-game absence due to personal reasons, it’ll be an MVP-flavored tour for the No. 3 player on the ladder and the Lakers. It starts Friday when they visit the Celtics and Jaylen Brown (No. 10), who has perked lately for Boston; then Philly and Tyrese Maxey (No. 6), who has taken ownership of the Sixers; then the NBA Cup quarterfinals against the Spurs and perhaps Victor Wembanyama (No. 8) if he suits up.
Luka is bringing along his comedy partner — the two are constantly needling each other — and ladder-sniffer Austin Reaves as they navigate this road trip and try to keep the Lakers high in the West standings.
The stat to know: Luka and Reaves are the deadliest teammate scoring combination in the NBA right now. They’re averaging 64.2 points, roughly 10 more than any other duo.
What they are saying: “I’m still growing, to be honest. Every game, I take information and apply it to the next game. Obviously, this year I have more responsibility. I’ve never been in this position before … I’m still figuring it out.” — Jaylen Brown on playing without Jayson Tatum.
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 28.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 11.1 assists
His case: The only player in the NBA currently averaging a triple-double, and likely the only player to finish the season with a triple-double average unless Luka Dončić pulls even. Jokić remains on a higher all-around offensive plane than just about everyone else.
He averaged 32-11-11 in November and opened December with a 29-20 double-double. Actually, the only thing Jokić hasn’t been able to do is help the Nuggets prosper at home, where they’re a pedestrian 6-4. The good news? The next three games are on the road.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 32.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists
His case: After finishing November with 12 games (out of 21) scoring at least 30 points, Shai opened December with a similar pop — 38 points Tuesday against the Warriors. Just as impressive, he didn’t commit a turnover in that game, and that’s with 38 minutes of playing time. The ability to protect the ball is such an understated part of his bag.
Shai’s accuracy remains astounding as of late. He made 13 of 21 against the Warriors, and four games earlier shot 13-18 against the Blazers to avenge the Thunder’s only loss of the season. He’s at 55% on the season and has made less than 50% in a game only four times.
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 8.9 assists
His case: He’s the scoring leader and ranks fourth in assists and among the best rebounding guards in the league right now. Over the last seven games, Luka has scored 33 or more points and hit 40 twice. His rise in LA continues.
He can be reckless with the ball at times — nine turnovers in his last game — but the pluses far outweigh that; those mistakes rarely cost the Lakers a game, as evident by their place in the standings.
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 27.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists
His case: Cunningham still has the Pistons in the attic of the East, a spot they enjoyed throughout much of November, and now, into December. In that sense, he’s the best player on the best team, at least record-wise, in the conference.
Although he scored only 18 points last Monday against the Hawks — his lowest output in 13 games — he secured the one-point win with a reverse layup in the final seconds. It was typical of Cunningham, coming through when the Pistons needed him most.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists
His case: Uh-oh — a tremendous start to the season by Giannis seems seriously jeopardized now with the calf strain he suffered Wednesday. The missed games are piling up at the wrong time for the MVP candidate and the Bucks.
It seems Giannis’ chance of even qualifying for the MVP or any other major award is in peril, given that he must reach the 65-games-played limit; he can only miss 11 more games. No need to penalize him this week on the MVP ladder, but obviously, his availability will dictate his spot in the future. We’ll show him respect for now.
The next 5:
6. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
9. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
10. Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics
And five more (listed alphabetically): Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors; Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks; Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
