The Top 4 slots in the Ladder remain set, but Kevin Durant has made his presence felt in the Top 10 of the chase.

It has been three weeks since The Lead’s last MVP Ladder, thanks to All-Star Weekend. The only thing that has changed is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Nikola Jokic in being at risk of not playing 65 games.

NBA MVP odds 2026: favorites Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic lead the race, plus the 65-game rule tracker for end of season awards.

As of January 31, 2026, the NBA MVP race is beginning to separate into clear tiers, with elite production, team success, and availability all playing decisive roles. This updated MVP ladder reflects not just raw statistics,

Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons point guard With his selfless leadership style, improved shooting efficiency and consistent playmaking, Cunningham has enhanced his MVP chances and the Pistons' odds to contend.

The NBA MVP race is a muddled mess because of the league's 65-game minimum for players to be considered for awards.

To be eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, All-NBA, and All-Defensive teams, players can miss a maximum of 17 games in a season under the so-called “65-game rule” implemented ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The Denver Nuggets have developed an unfortunate losing habit recently, dropping five of their last seven games, and getting leapfrogged for third place in the

The Golden State Warriors were involved in nearly every possibility at the trade deadline back in February. That included their own players appearing in trade rumors and the team exploring potential acquisitions.

After losing to the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday night, Russell Westbrook’s frustration spilled into his postgame press conference, where he confronted Sacramento Kings media. At 14-50, the Kings have the worst record in the NBA.

The top six candidates to win the NBA’s MVP award are all currently healthy heading down the final stretch of the regular season, making for an intriguing finis

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 26 points and eight assists to help lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-100 road win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.