In the latest shoots of Shoot Your Shot, Robin Lopez and Rudy Gay break down the MVP race so far, with Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sitting at the very top. This season marks a scoring era in the NBA, driven by wide floor spacing, faster pace, an expanded 3-point threat, more isolation plays, and looser dribbling rules that make crossovers and gather steps commonplace. In short, the defense is facing unprecedented challenges, and rim protection has become less dominant as physicality and hand-checking fade from the game.
Today, 35 players are averaging 20 points per game, 17 are at 25, and five are at 30. If Michael Jordan played in today’s league, there’s a strong case he would average well over 50, which underscores how scoring has become more achievable. Yet the real distinction lies not just in reaching 20 points, but in how consistently that number is hit and how often it’s surpassed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is tailor-made for this era. He leverages the rules to their fullest, using a mid-dribble touch to pause the defender and create space for his shot. His arsenal includes the step-back and the pull-up on the move, and he relentlessly seeks contact at the rim. When he attacks, three outcomes are possible: he could miss, make the shot, or draw a foul, with the latter sometimes yielding a three-point reward if the shot is made and he’s fouled. This combination of space creation and finishing at the rim makes his mid-range creation uniquely effective.
Remarkably, he has built a streak of 94 straight games with at least 20 points, second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 126. By comparison, LeBron James’ best streak is 49, and Stephen Curry’s is 23, highlighting Shai’s extraordinary consistency.
Shai’s durability and scoring pace underpin the Thunder’s success. They’re one of only a few teams to begin a season 20-1 or better, and their win pace suggests a continued strong case for his MVP claim. Even if additional physicality from two decades ago altered the environment, it’s a moot point for a player of the 2020s. For this week’s Kia Race to the MVP, Shai sits at No. 2 on the ladder.
If Luka Dončić returns from a one-game absence for personal reasons, the No. 3 spot on the ladder becomes a true MVP-flavored showcase for the Lakers. Their upcoming schedule features a trip to Boston to face Jaylen Brown and the Celtics, then a showdown with Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers, followed by an NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Spurs and potential action from Victor Wembanyama if he plays.
Luka’s presence brings a playful dynamic with Austin Reaves, the trio supplying a relentless offensive push as Los Angeles stakes its place in the Western standings. Notably, Luka and Reaves form the deadliest teammate scoring combination in the NBA right now, averaging 64.2 points together—roughly 10 more than any other duo.
Brown has spoken about growing into more responsibility without Jayson Tatum, noting he’s still learning how to optimize his play in that role.
Ranked players and their cases:
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week: No. 1
Season stats: 28.7 PTS, 12.6 REB, 11.1 AST
Case: The lone player averaging a triple-double and likely the only one to finish with a triple-double average unless Luka matches him. Jokić sits on a higher all-around offense plane than almost anyone, posting a 32-11-11 in November and opening December with a 29-20 double-double. The one caveat is his Nuggets’ home struggles (6-4), but the next three games are on the road.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week: No. 2
Season stats: 32.8 PTS, 4.7 REB, 6.5 AST
Case: After a November with multiple 30-point games, Shai opened December with a 38-point performance against the Warriors, playing 38 minutes without a turnover. His shooting efficiency has been elite—55% on the season, with only four sub-50% games—and his ball security is a key, understated part of his game.Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week: No. 3
Season stats: 35.3 PTS, 8.9 REB, 8.9 AST
Case: Leader in scoring and among the top playmakers and rebounders for a guard. Over the last seven games, he’s cracked 33 points in each and hit 40 twice. While there are occasional turnover spikes, the Lakers’ success largely balances those mistakes.Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Last week: No. 5
Season stats: 27.6 PTS, 6.5 REB, 9.2 AST
Case: Cunningham keeps the Pistons atop the struggling Eastern Conference, effectively making him the best player on the most successful team in the conference’s lower tier. He delivered a clutch late-game performance with a reverse layup to seal a win, illustrating his growth under pressure.Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week: No. 4
Season stats: 28.9 PTS, 10.1 REB, 6.1 AST
Case: Giannis’s MVP odds are in jeopardy due to a calf strain that has sidelined him and complicated his season-long trajectory. With the 65-games-played requirement looming, his availability will significantly influence his future ladder placement. For now, he remains on the list with respect, but his spot will hinge on health.
The rest of the Top 10 (in order): Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Victor Wembanyama, Alperen Şengun, Jaylen Brown. Other notable contenders listed alphabetically include Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Johnson, and Austin Reaves.
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. For inquiries, email spowell@nba.com, explore his archive, or follow him on X.
