After the big Christmas Day matches, where several superstars shone while others were more discreet, it’s the ideal time to take another look at the Race for the MVP. Here is the last edition of the ranking, special Christmas, before moving quietly into 2026.
THE RANKING OF 10/12
- Stats : 30.7 points / 4.6 rebounds / 5.4 assists / 1.4 steals / 49.9% shooting
- With: 17 wins – 15 losses
On the big stage at Madison Square Garden, against the Knicks on Christmas Day, Donovan Mitchell shined again… in defeat. That’s kind of the theme of the season in Cleveland. Despite the enormous efforts of Spida, author of his best offensive season of his career, the Cavs have a barely positive record and remain for the moment outside the Top 6. One wonders where Kenny Atkinson’s men would be without the exploits of Mitchell, who struggles night after evening to keep his team afloat. With the infirmary gradually emptying, can the Cavaliers finally find their cruising speed at the start of 2026?
- Stats : 30.8 points / 4.4 rebounds / 7 assists / 1.7 steals / 46.1% shooting
- With: 16 wins – 13 losses
Alongside excellent rookie VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey’s Sixers have had some big wins recently, including one on the grounds of the New York Knicks. On the other hand, with Joel Embiid and Paul George, Maxey has still not tasted victory this season (four defeats in four games for the trio). Philadelphia is still looking for balance according to the absences/presences of each person. But in the middle of all this and despite a recent slump against Brooklyn, Tyrese remains the MVP of the Sixers, still in the Top 5 in the East at the time of these lines.
- Stats : 29.4 points / 5.1 rebounds / 3.8 assists / 1.4 steals / 49.4% shooting
- With: 20 wins – 11 losses
Author of 44 points and a monumental clutch shoot (before being sent off in overtime) in Denver during the Christmas game, Anthony Edwards once again showed his ability to step-up on the big stage, despite the defeat. A few days earlier, Ant-Man had achieved the feat of bringing down the Thunder by winning his duel against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Edwards is on a good dynamic with the Wolves, in the Top 5 in the West thanks to ten victories in the last thirteen games. We just hope that the superstar fullback, recently injured in the foot and shoulder, avoids the infirmary box in the near future.
- Stats : 23.7 points / 11.8 rebounds / 3.6 assists / 3.1 blocks / 51.4% shooting
- With: 23 wins – 7 losses
Victor Wembanyama left the MVP race during his absence due to a calf injury. He found the floors two weeks ago, and wasted no time in repairing the major damage. Even as a substitute, even on minutes restriction. Just ask the Thunder: three victories for the Spurs against Oklahoma City under the leadership of Wemby, including one in Las Vegas in the NBA Cup semi-final, and another on OKC land on Christmas Day. Enough to propel San Antonio to second place in the West. If his series of 101 matches with at least one against has stopped, Wembanyama has clearly got back into the race.
- Stats : 29.4 points / 6.3 rebounds / 4.9 assists / 1.2 steals / 50.2% shooting
- With: 19 wins – 11 losses
“Nobody plays better than me right now. » This is what Jaylen Brown recently declared on his stream, and he has very solid arguments to defend his case: eight games in a row with at least 30 points scored over the month of December, more than 50% shooting and 40% 3-point shooting. Only one player in the glorious history of the Celtics has done better (Larry Bird, nine games in a row in 1985). That makes you a man. Still without Jayson Tatum, Brown continues to carry Boston to the Eastern Conference podium thanks to a four-game winning streak.
- Stats : 26.5 points / 6.3 rebounds / 9.6 assists / 1.6 steals / 45.9% shooting
- With: 24 wins – 7 losses
A little more discreet in scoring in December (23 points per match), Cade Cunningham compensates with his playmaking, including 31 assists in his last two outings. The accumulation of turnovers nevertheless represents a black point for Cade at the moment, while his Pistons have let two victories slip away in the money-time over the last eight days. Nothing dramatic of course, the Cunningham gang remaining firmly installed at the top of the Eastern Conference with seven victories in ten games.
- Stats : 29.3 points / 3.3 rebounds / 6.5 assists / 47.8% shooting
- With: 21 wins – 9 losses
Jalen Brunson continues his magnificent rise in December. A rise symbolized by strong moments: NBA Cup champion with an MVP title to boot, Player of the Week in the East, a game-winner at Indiana, 47 points on Miami, then a festival of big shots to snatch victory against Cleveland on Christmas Day. In the new attack advocated by Mike Brown, Brunson remains THE metronome of the Knicks, who are gradually closing their gap on Detroit at the top of the East. New York has won eight of its last ten games under the leadership of its leader, and is only 2.5 games behind the Pistons.
- Stats : 33.7 points / 8.5 rebounds / 8.7 assists / 1.5 steals / 46.1% shooting
- With: 19 wins – 10 losses
Luka Doncic remains third in the MVP rankings but he is closer to fourth place than second today. And for good reason: the Lakers are on three defeats in a row, six in the last ten games, and Luka is not in the best shape because – perhaps – of a bruise on his leg. Doncic and his friends will have to step-up quickly if they don’t want to continue to fall in the Western Conference. The absence of Austin Reaves for several weeks, combined with LeBron James about to turn 41, risks putting a lot of pressure on Luka’s shoulders. Can he meet this big challenge ahead?
- Stats : 32.1 points / 4.9 rebounds / 6.5 assists / 1.5 steals / 55.1% shooting
- With: 26 wins – 5 losses
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to perform individually, notably passing the mark of 100 consecutive games with at least 20 points, his team has fallen from a height over the last two weeks. The Thunder seemed well on their way to having the best regular season in NBA history, before losing four out of six games, including three against the Spurs. “We have to be better, and everyone has to look in the mirror, from the first to the last” said SGA in particular after the defeat at Christmas. In his fierce fight with Nikola Jokic, Shai possessed the argument of collective balance sheet, an argument which carries much less weight today.
- Stats : 29.8 points / 12.1 rebounds / 11 assists / 1.4 steals / 60.9% shooting
- With: 22 wins – 8 losses
56 points (including 18 in overtime, NBA record), 16 rebounds, 15 assists in a close victory against the Wolves. Nikola Jokic released perhaps the greatest performance in the history of Christmas Day, at the same time confirming his return to the top of the MVP Race. While Denver is decimated by injuries (Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson), the Joker plays his best cards to keep the Nuggets (eight wins in ten games) on the Western podium. “It’s an honor and a privilege to watch this guy play basketball.” summed up Charles Barkley perfectly.
Honorable mentions: Alperen Sengun et Kevin Durant (Rockets), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Devin Booker (Suns),
