Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has three MVP wins and two runner-up finishes across the past five NBA campaigns. So it’s saying a lot that he’s having the best statistical start of his much-awaited career in the 2025-26 season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists through 17 games this season. He is shooting 70% from the field and 43% from 3.
But it’s not only Jokic, two other MVP winners, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they are coming up to the mark. SGA, who took the MVP away from Nikola in the 24-25 season, has averaged 28.1, the fifth-highest mark on record through 18 games. Giannis is averaging 29.3 through 12 games, the fourth highest on record before he injured his groin. And Luka ranks sixth in 12 games, averaging 28.1 ppg. The top 4 players this season have all had the best statistical starts to a season in more than 40 years.
Jokic’s competitors for the MVP race, SGA, have the highest volume beacuse of his health. Final MVP and scoring champion has scored 32 ppg, and a career efficiency rate and a career low turnover rate while leading his team to a 17-1 record and a plus 17 point differential.
Although Giannis’ game states have been impacted by his injury, he is still averaging 30/10/6. Other than Jokic, this state line has been accomplished only three different times in NBA History (Twice by Oscar Robertson and once by Russell Westbrook). And Giannis is still improving and continuing to make progress. He is taking a career high of 73% at the rim, and he is playing great with his best efficiency numbers.
Finally, Luka is leading the league in scoring with 34.5 ppg. Despite is low average from the 3pt line at 31% he is shooting his career high from 2’s at 61% and he his leading the league in free throw makes 9.9 a game and attempts per game 12.5. And his standard 8.9 assists and 8.8 per game would make him a favorite for MVP in any season before the newly competitive age.
