Early MVP Race Features Historic Numbers From Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander And Antetokounmpo
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November 25, 2025 — Five weeks into the 2025/26 NBA schedule, several former Most Valuable Players are tracking toward career-best campaigns, pushing the early MVP conversation into record-setting territory.
Three veterans pace efficiency charts
According to ESPN, Denver center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo are all on pace to surpass Jokic’s single-season record player efficiency rating of 32.9. The current marks:
- Jokic: 37.0
- Antetokounmpo: 34.6
- Gilgeous-Alexander: 33.5
The trio is also producing three of the four most efficient 30-point scoring seasons ever, with true-shooting rates of 72.8% (Jokic), 67.1% (Gilgeous-Alexander) and 66.2% (Antetokounmpo).
Jokic flirting with dual league leads
Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 11.1 assists while shooting .626/.434/.853. No player has ever finished first in assists one year and rebounds another, yet the two-time MVP currently challenges for the top spot in both categories.
Thunder surge behind SGA
Gilgeous-Alexander owns a 32.2-point, 6.6-assist line on .543/.412/.898 shooting for an NBA-best 17-1 Oklahoma City club. He has logged just 52 fourth-quarter minutes, underscoring the Thunder’s dominance.
Giannis posts personal highs
Antetokounmpo is scoring 31.2 points and dishing 6.8 assists per night while hitting 62.9% from the field. Milwaukee is 18.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, outpacing the on/off margins of Jokic (+18.3) and Gilgeous-Alexander (+13.2).
Doncic leads the league in scoring
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic tops the NBA at 34.5 points per game and adds 8.9 assists, 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals. The Lakers are 12-4, sitting third in the Western Conference.
Other early contenders
Cade Cunningham has the surprising Detroit Pistons at 15-2 while averaging 27.1 points and 9.6 assists. In Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey pours in 33.0 points across 40.4 minutes on .471/.415/.880 shooting. High-volume contributors Donovan Mitchell, Stephen Curry, Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards remain in the mix for winning teams.
San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama was averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks before a calf strain interrupted his start.
The crowded field highlights how quickly the MVP landscape can shift, even this early in the season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
