NBA Announces MVP Finalists: Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama as Doncic Misses Cut

The NBA has officially unveiled the three finalists for the 2025-26 Most Valuable Player award, confirming a historic moment as the league’s scoring champion fails to make the cut for the first time in over a decade. Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama have been named the contenders for the league’s highest individual honor, while Luka Doncic, who led the NBA in scoring with an average of 33.5 points per game, was notably absent from the finalists list.

The announcement, made by the NBA on Sunday, April 20, 2026, sets up an intriguing MVP race that highlights the evolving criteria for the award. Gilgeous-Alexander, the defending MVP, averaged 31.1 points and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 55 percent from the field. Wembanyama, despite limited minutes due to strategic rest, contributed 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in just 29.2 minutes of play. Jokic delivered a remarkable all-around performance with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, becoming the first player in NBA history to lead the league in both assists and rebounds per game.

The omission of Doncic has sparked significant debate among analysts and fans, particularly given his historic scoring output. The Dallas Mavericks guard recorded 2,143 total points this season, including 28 games with 30 or more points and 14 games exceeding 40 points. His scoring dominance placed him as the only player in the last ten years to win the scoring title without being named an MVP finalist, a fact that underscores the shifting priorities in how the award is evaluated.

Doncic’s eligibility was initially in question due to the NBA’s 65-game minimum participation rule. After missing time in December for the birth of his daughter, he played only 64 games, falling short of the threshold. However, following a joint review by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), a special exception was granted just days before the finalists were announced, restoring his eligibility for consideration.

Beyond the MVP race, the NBA also highlighted other award contenders. Wembanyama is considered a strong favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the league in blocks per game. He joins Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons as finalists for that honor. For the Clutch Player of the Year award, Gilgeous-Alexander is nominated alongside Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, with clutch points defined as those scored in the final five minutes of games with a point differential of five or less.

As the NBA playoffs approach, the MVP announcement adds another layer of intrigue to the postseason narrative. The finalists represent a diverse group of talent: Jokic continuing his legacy as one of the game’s most versatile big men, Gilgeous-Alexander asserting himself as a perennial elite scorer and playmaker, and Wembanyama showcasing the impact of his unique skill set despite a minutes restriction. The outcome of the MVP vote will be announced during the NBA Awards presentation, though the exact date has not yet been confirmed by the league.

For continued updates on the NBA MVP race and other postseason developments, fans are encouraged to follow official NBA communications and trusted sports news sources.