Even though the end of the NBA regular season is still a few months away, MVP discussions are already heating up. According to a former NBA star, Nikola Jokić’s injury means there is only one player who truly deserves to win it this year.
Ex-NBA All-Star Names His Pick for MVP Amid Nikola Jokić’s Injury
Jokić was once again at the center of MVP discussions this season. On Dec. 29 against the Miami Heat, he hyperextended his left knee late in the first half and did not return. He has since missed 14 consecutive games.
Under the NBA’s player participation policy, Jokić could be disqualified from award consideration. If he misses three more games, he would be ineligible for any honors at the conclusion of the season.
Gilbert Arenas, a three-time NBA All-Star (2005-07), claims this makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the unquestionable MVP.
“[Gilgeous-Alexander] is by himself in this category since Jokić is out,” Arenas said on “Gil’s Arena.” “If Jokić is playing and that triple-double he was averaging, then no. He would have to turn it up just a little bit. But, as he stands, he is the runaway MVP.”
“He’s by himself in this category since Jokic is out.”@NoChillGilZero says SGA is the runaway MVP again this season 💪 pic.twitter.com/hPiBcPF62C
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) January 26, 2026
The Oklahoma City Thunder are expecting Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the franchise to more championships based on the contract they signed him to.
Last July, after he won MVP and Finals MVP and led the Thunder to a championship, the organization signed him to a massive extension worth $273,302,400 over four seasons, according to Spotrac.
That extension does not kick in until the 2027-28 season. Currently, Gilgeous-Alexander is in Year 4 of a contract worth $179,299,750 over five seasons.
While the extension has not yet taken effect, Gilgeous-Alexander is already giving the Thunder organization its money’s worth.
Through 45 games this season, he is averaging 32.1 points per game, the second-highest mark in the league. From an efficiency standpoint, he is shooting 55.9% from the field. He has also missed only two games so far, meaning he is not at risk of becoming ineligible for awards, unlike some other stars.
Jokić, meanwhile, was averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists before his injury — numbers that are certainly MVP-worthy. Still, if he plays fewer than 65 games this season, his statistics will not factor into the MVP conversation.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Jokić has already returned to on-court workouts. However, he will not play in the Denver Nuggets’ home game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
