How Nikola Jokic's Knee Injury Impacts NBA MVP Race, Betting Odds for SGA, Luka

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić has fallen off the board entirely in FanDuel Sportsbook's odds for the 2025-26 NBA MVP.

The Nuggets confirmed Tuesday that Jokić will miss a minimum of four weeks due to a hyperextended left knee. As a result, the three-time MVP could fail to meet the threshold of at least 65 games played in order to qualify for awards and an All-NBA nod.

With Jokić out of the picture, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-425) is the MVP favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić is next at +430.

Then there's a sizable gap on the rest of the field: Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (+5000), New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (+7500) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (+7500).

The Thunder have the NBA's best record (28-5), and Gilgeous-Alexander is matching the production that earned him an MVP a year ago. He's averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals.

SGA Drops 37 in 3 Quarters

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Dončić is having a better individual campaign. He's the NBA's leading scorer at 33.7 points and is adding 8.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists per contest.

The Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference, though, and have battled inconsistency in recent weeks. Should that be where L.A. finishes, fewer voters may be willing to put Luka atop their ballots.

Regardless of who wins, Jokić's injury makes the MVP a lot less compelling.