Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Antetokounmpo and Doncic Post Record Numbers as Early MVP Battle Takes Shape
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The first month of the 2025-26 NBA season has delivered historic production from four familiar superstars, positioning the league for a potentially memorable Most Valuable Player race. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic are all posting numbers rarely seen in the modern era.
Jokic raises an already lofty bar
Jokic, a three-time MVP, is averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 11.1 assists through 17 games while shooting 70% on two-point attempts and 43% from beyond the arc. His 31.8 average game score is the best ever recorded over a season’s first 17 games, according to data that dates back to 1983-84. The 13-4 Nuggets sit near the top of the Western Conference, and Jokic is on pace to become the first player to lead the league in rebounds and assists in the same season.
Gilgeous-Alexander builds on MVP campaign
Last season’s MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander, owns a 28.1 game score through 18 games—fifth highest on record at that stage. He is scoring 32.2 points per night on career-best efficiency with a career-low turnover rate, guiding Oklahoma City to a league-leading 17-1 mark and a plus-16.9 point differential. Because of frequent blowouts against what analytics site Dunks & Threes rates as the league’s second-softest defensive schedule, the Thunder star rarely sees extended fourth-quarter minutes, yet he ranks among the league leaders in points in every other period.
Antetokounmpo productive despite early injury
Antetokounmpo posted a 29.3 game score through 12 contests before a groin strain interrupted his run. Even with the abbreviated outing that caused the injury, he is putting up 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game, tracking toward a third straight season of 30/10/6. A career-high 73% of his attempts are coming at the rim, fueling personal bests in efficiency and playmaking.
Doncic’s scoring binge tops the league
Doncic leads the NBA with 34.5 points per game while hitting a career-high 61% on two-pointers and earning 12.5 free-throw attempts per night. He adds 8.9 assists and 8.8 rebounds, and his 28.1 game score through 12 appearances ranks sixth all time at that juncture. The production has come despite a 31% clip from three-point range, well below his career norm.
Historic context and looming questions
Among the 96 players who have ever averaged 30 points in a season, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Antetokounmpo currently rank first, second and fourth, respectively, in true shooting percentage; only Stephen Curry’s unanimous 2015-16 MVP campaign keeps them from sweeping the top three spots. League-wide scoring has climbed to 117.1 points per team—up from 113.8 last year—yet the quartet’s dominance still stands out.
Regression could enter the picture. Jokic’s unprecedented shooting efficiency may cool, the Thunder’s tougher upcoming schedule could affect Gilgeous-Alexander’s totals, Antetokounmpo’s groin may limit his explosiveness, and Doncic’s usage rate might dip with Austin Reaves’ breakout and LeBron James’ return. For now, however, four players are producing at levels seldom witnessed, setting the stage for what could become one of the closest MVP votes in league history.
Source: ESPN
