Who Is NBA MVP? ESPN Straw Poll Reveals SGA, Jokic, Full Rankings After 2026 All-Star Break

The 2026 NBA MVP race could come down to Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić once again.

In the latest MVP straw poll of 100 media members conducted by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 78 first-place votes and 930 total points while Jokić sat at No. 2 with 18 first-place votes as well as 700 total points.

Here's a look at the full rankings.

ESPN MVP Straw Poll Results

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 930 points
2. Nikola Jokić, 700 points
3. Cade Cunningham, 382 points
4. Victor Wembanyama, 242 points
5. Luka Dončić, 177 points
6. Jaylen Brown, 87 points
7. Donovan Mitchell, 27 points
8. Kawhi Leonard, 20 points
9. Jalen Brunson, 17 points
10. Tyrese Maxey, 10 points
11. Anthony Edwards, 8 points

Gilgeous-Alexander is in the midst of an extremely efficient season as he attempts to capture a second consecutive MVP, leading a Thunder squad that currently owns the best record in the Western Conference at 42-14.

He's averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game this season. Gilgeous-Alexander's 59.9 effective field-goal percentage is also a career-high mark.

Meanwhile, Jokić is still a threat to win his fourth MVP award.

The eight-time All-Star has recorded 28.7 points per game on 59.0/42.0/84.0 shooting splits during his 2025-26 campaign. His averages of 12.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game are both the highest in the NBA.

Denver owns the No. 4 spot in the West with a 35-21 record.

While Cunningham could make an MVP push if he's able to excel down the stretch of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić are both strong current candidates.