With the NBA season finally upon us, it’s time to start up the age-old debate of who this year’s MVP will be.
Yes, it has only been one week of action and yes things are very likely to shake up, but there have been five players through these first few games that fans will be likely to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the season.
With that being said, here are the top five MVP contenders after week one.
5. Luka Doncic, Guard, Los Angeles Lakers
Doncic injured his left finger and lower leg and was ruled out for a week after the first two games of the Lakers’ season, but until that point, his contribution to the team was sensational.
The Slovenian guard was expected to become the Lakers’ leader to start the season as LeBron James was ruled out for a month and a half with sciatica. Doncic delivered, scoring 43 in the opening night loss to Golden State and 49 to lead the Lakers past Minnesota.
Additionally, Doncic almost had a triple-double in both games, recording 12 rebounds with nine assists against Golden State and 11 rebounds with eight assists in the win against Minnesota.
When Doncic returns in a few days, expect him to continue his torrid start to the season.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
Through the Bucks’ first four games, the Greek Freak has proven that he has no plans to slow down in 2025.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 36 points, 14 rebounds – good for second in the Association – and seven assists in those first four games, leading the Bucks to a 4-1 record after scoring 37 to lead the Bucks past the New York Knicks in a potential playoff preview.
With the Bucks lacking depth, Giannis is projected to continue his role as Milwaukee’s force to be reckoned with. If the Bucks are able to crack the top five in the Eastern Conference standings come playoff time, expect Antetokounmpo in the MVP mix.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
As the reigning NBA and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starts his quest to become the first player in NBA history to win both trophies in back-to-back seasons.
With Jalen Williams out to start the season, Gilgeous-Alexander has carried the load offensively for the Thunder. In back-to-back double-overtime games to begin the season, Shai had 35 points and 55 points respectively in wins against the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers.
Last season’s scoring leader, SGA is on pace to repeat as the 2025-26 scoring leader, with his 34.8 points per game after one week of play. With the Thunder comfortably sitting at 5-0 to begin the season and projected to win the Western Conference once again, that could translate into another historical season for the Oklahoma City guard.
2. Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets
Leave it to Nikola Jokic to tie the NBA record for the most triple-doubles to start the season with four in a row. The Joker can break the all-time record if he records a triple-double on Friday night when the Nuggets visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jokic struggled with efficiency in the Nuggets’ opening loss to Golden State but still finished the game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. He would find some offensive consistency in the Nuggets’ next three games, shooting 63%, 90%, and 67% from the field in the Nuggets’ wins against Phoenix, Minnesota, and Denver.
It will take a truly historical season for Jokic to capture his fourth MVP award with how heavy the competition is, but would we expect anything else from the world’s most dominant player?
1. Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs
With the Spurs off to an undefeated start, we’re inching closer and closer to the Victor Wembanyama era of the NBA. The way that Wembanyama has played in those first four games of the season, the 7 feet 4 inch Frenchman is well on his way to capturing what is likely to be the first of many MVP trophies in a projected historic career.
Wemby opened the season with a 40 point, 15 rebound win on the road in Dallas where Anthony Davis was no match for the size and physicality of Wembanyama. The Alien would follow that up with a clutch 29 point, 11 rebound effort in an overtime win in New Orleans before recording two more double-doubles against Brooklyn and Toronto.