As Christmas nears, ESPN released its first NBA MVP straw poll. Every season, Tim Bontemps polls 100 media members across the league in a mock vote. He does this every one-third of the regular season.

Considering its history, it’s a strong indicator of how the real-life MVP race will play out. Especially when the last straw poll is released around April, as most folks have made up their minds by then on who should bring home the prestigious award.

One-third of the way through the 2025-26 regular season, most were anxious to check the pulse of the league. It feels like we’re in the middle of the last part of an MVP race trilogy between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. They finished top two the last two seasons. Jokic won MVP in 2023-24; Gilgeous-Alexander won MVP in 2024-25.

Those feelings were proven correct. Gilgeous-Alexander is in first place in the MVP straw poll. He had 865 total points. He received 57 first-place votes, 41 second-place votes, one third-place vote and one fourth-place vote.

Behind him is Jokic in the MVP straw poll. He had 822 total points. He received 42 first-place votes, 57 second-place votes and one fourth-place vote.

Those two are in their own tier. For context, Luka Doncic is third with 432 total points. He was the only other player who received a first-place vote. 14 players were written in the top-five MVP candidates ballots.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the NBA’s best team. They could flirt with 70 wins and set the record for point differential. In that case, it’ll be tough to bet against Gilgeous-Alexander to bring home a second straight MVP trophy. He’s averaging a superb-efficient 32-plus points.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets look like one of the NBA’s best teams. Jokic is averaging an unreal 30-12-11 triple-double on superb efficiency. The three-time MVP winner is viewed as one of the greatest players ever. Depending on how the standings shake out, he could grab another trophy.

New ESPN story: Happy Straw Poll day!

For the seventh straight year, we are back with our check-ins on where the NBA’s MVP race stands.

And it should come as no surprise that this year is set to see some familiar names battle it out for the award.https://t.co/StgJjA96rT

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 19, 2025