Open Extended Reactions
Despite all the drama surrounding NBA star injuries and availability this season, it hasn't changed the top of the Most Valuable Player race.
For now.
In ESPN's second MVP straw poll of the 2025-26 season -- a current snapshot of the race using a panel of 100 local, national and international media members surveyed this week -- Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander increased his lead over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Gilgeous-Alexander claimed 78 first-place votes and was the only player named to all 100 ballots.