2026 NBA MVP predictions: NBC Sports roundtable gives their full picks between Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama
In a deep field of MVP-worthy players, the NBC Sports crew gave a clean sweep to SGA.
Every day this week, the NBC Sports NBA writing crew is breaking down the league's individual postseason awards and giving you their thoughts and predictions. We're starting the week with the big one: MVP. It's a tight race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic, so who are we taking?
Most Valuable Player Kurt Helin, NBC Sports Lead NBA Writer: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander This is the deepest MVP field I can remember โ Nikola Jokic is averaging a triple-double and is going to be third on my ballot. Which is insane. This race comes down to Victor Wembanyama and SGA, and it's close.
Very close. In my mind, three things separate Gilgeous-Alexander and get him my vote. One is minutes: As of Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander has played 353 more total minutes โ remember Wemby was on a minutes limit when he raced back from injury to make sure he had time to reach the league's ridiculous 65 games threshold.
SGA is averaging 33. 5 minutes per game, so he has been on the court for the equivalent of 10 more total games this season. That matters.