As the NBA season progresses, Cade Cunningham stands out as a leading MVP candidate, benefiting from his consistent presence on the court. Among all top contenders, Cunningham and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) are the only players currently on track to meet the NBA’s minimum 65-game threshold for MVP eligibility, with Cunningham having missed only six games so far. This reliability may position him as a frontrunner by default, especially as SGA faces a tight margin due to recent and projected absences. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama are also close to the eligibility limit, with Jokić able to miss only one more game and Wembanyama four, while Luka Dončić, though eligible, does not currently factor into the top five MVP conversation.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Quest for a Second MVP Award
Currently favored to win a second consecutive MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has seen his season interrupted by an abdominal strain that has kept him out of nine games, with an expectation to miss at least three more. This absence includes key matchups against fellow MVP contenders Nikola Jokić and Cade Cunningham—games that could have influenced MVP voting significantly. Once SGA returns, he will have missed at least 12 games, leaving only five more games he can afford to miss to remain eligible.
Despite these challenges, SGA’s performance remains stellar. He has improved his shooting efficiency across all areas, including being the best mid-range shooter in the league this season, with career bests in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and effective shooting. His offensive impact is substantial, with the Thunder outscoring opponents by 11.2 points per game when he’s on the floor and struggling by over nine points per 100 possessions when he’s off it. Coach Mark Daigneault emphasizes prioritizing SGA’s health over MVP eligibility or championship aspirations, highlighting the team’s cautious approach to his return.
Cade Cunningham’s Crucial Role in Pistons’ Resurgence
Cade Cunningham’s leadership of the Detroit Pistons has been fundamental to their remarkable turnaround this season. Despite being neutralized in a recent game against the San Antonio Spurs, where defenders Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama held him to 5-for-26 shooting, Cunningham remains the central figure of the Pistons’ offense. Detroit’s performance plummets from a top-five offensive team to one of the league’s worst when he is off the court, underscoring his value.
Along with Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, Cunningham is among the few players averaging at least 25 points and 8 assists per game; notably, he leads the league in points generated through assists. While Cunningham trails some competitors in shooting efficiency, his contribution on both ends of the floor and to a stronger Pistons team gives him a solid case, especially compared to Dončić. The Pistons, once the worst team in the league three years ago, have transformed dramatically under Cunningham’s influence, moving from historic losing streaks to competing for the best record in the league.
His consistent availability—missing only six games and on pace to play 73—and his leadership in sustaining Detroit’s elite play in the Eastern Conference strengthen his MVP candidacy. Cunningham’s progression signals that sustained excellence and availability position him as a contender worthy of serious consideration.
The Impact and Contention Surrounding Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama has defied expectations this season, transforming the San Antonio Spurs into a serious championship contender. Initially projected as a team striving merely to secure playoff experience, the Spurs have surged to the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed, besting the top-seeded defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder multiple times. Much of this success is credited to Wembanyama’s unprecedented impact on both ends of the court.
Defensively, Wembanyama alters the game in a way reminiscent of how Stephen Curry revolutionized offense during the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors’ rise. While Curry expanded offensive spacing to an unmanageable degree, Wembanyama constricts offensive opportunities by effectively “shrinking” the court, deterring shots and disrupting opponents’ rhythm with his shot-blocking and presence in the paint.
His rare ability to deter scoring within the paint was particularly evident when limiting Cunningham to a poor shooting night. Alongside that defensive prowess, Wembanyama boasts impressive offensive statistics, averaging near 25 points, 12 rebounds, over 3 blocks, and over 3 assists per game during the Spurs’ current winning streak. Across the season, he is poised to become the only player in NBA history to average over 24 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks per game in under 30 minutes of playing time.
Wemby BLOCK PARTY in Detroit 🤯👽21 PTS 17 REB6 BLK3 blocks on Cade alone 😯 pic.twitter.com/IA8CCklf7e
Although Wembanyama’s case is powerful, his 13 missed games place him perilously close to the eligibility threshold, with only four remaining allowed absences. Should the Spurs overtake the Thunder for the top seed, his influence on the team’s success will demand greater recognition in the MVP race, potentially vaulting him ahead of Nikola Jokić in certain rankings.
Nikola Jokić’s Dominance Despite Injury Concerns
Nikola Jokić, long considered the premier player in the league, faces a challenging path to MVP eligibility due to injury. With only one game left that he can afford to miss, his durability is in question amid a physically demanding schedule for the Denver Nuggets. Nevertheless, Jokić’s impact on the team is unmatched—the Nuggets suffer a 16.5 point per 100 possessions deficit without him, the largest margin among MVP contenders.
Jokić continues to deliver historic all-around performances, averaging a triple-double with 28.8 points per game on the highest true shooting percentage in the league. He leads in assists and rebounds per game, asserting himself as a dominant force. Though the Nuggets have an elite secondary scorer in Jamal Murray, their collective dependence on Jokić mirrors Detroit’s reliance on Cunningham. If Jokić maintains his health for the remainder of the season, he is likely to receive considerable MVP support, but current availability advantages for Cunningham and Wembanyama complicate his standing.
Jaylen Brown’s Emergence Amid Adversity in Boston
Jaylen Brown has unexpectedly risen as an MVP contender while leading the Boston Celtics through a challenging roster transition. After the team lost key players such as Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziņģis, Brown has propelled the Celtics to the Eastern Conference’s second seed and a legitimate shot at the title. His recent 32-point performance against the Lakers, coupled with rebounds, assists, and steals, highlights his critical role.
JB is playing great basketball, man. This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some, as well. Nobody gave them a shot to start the season. He’s averaging, what, 30? Just under 30. It’s a popularity contest sometimes.
Brown’s scoring average of 29.2 points per game ranks fourth in the league, achieved amid a high volume of tough, self-created shots and a career-high assist percentage. While his efficiency has slightly declined from earlier in the season, his expanded offensive responsibility has been vital for a Celtics team defying preseason expectations. Previously regarded as a star player just below the elite tier, Brown has now solidified his status as a bona fide superstar shouldering significant burden alongside Cunningham.
The Broader Significance of This MVP Race
As this NBA season reaches its crucial phases, Cade Cunningham’s emergence as an MVP frontrunner illustrates how availability, team success, and all-around contributions weigh heavily in the voting calculus. Competing against established stars like SGA, Jokić, and rising talents such as Wembanyama and Brown, Cunningham’s ability to lead a revitalized Pistons squad while staying largely healthy sets him apart in a crowded, competitive field.
The narrow eligibility margins for other candidates and the stark contrasts in team performances demonstrate how the MVP race is not solely about individual statistics but also about consistency and impact on winning. The outcomes of the remaining games, particularly head-to-head contests and team seeding battles, will likely shape the final narrative heading into the postseason.
As the MVP award carries substantial legacy implications for players, the evolving storylines around these top contenders will be followed closely, with Cunningham’s blend of availability and influence ensuring his name remains central in the discussion.
NEW: The 65-Game Rule might deliver Cade Cunningham the MVP.
SGA's eligibility is in jeopardy. Wemby, Luka and Jokic on pace to be disqualified. I wrote about it here: https://t.co/lHpVBq3YQv pic.twitter.com/656iTDHYTy
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) February 23, 2026
Wemby BLOCK PARTY in Detroit 🤯👽
21 PTS
17 REB
6 BLK3 blocks on Cade alone 😯 pic.twitter.com/IA8CCklf7e
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 24, 2026
