"Two NBA players separated themselves from the league's other biggest stars in 2025. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets battled for MVP of the 2024-25 regular season, splitting all 100 first-place votes, dueled in perhaps the most memorable series of the 2025 playoffs and are 1-2 again in the first installment of the MVP straw poll conducted by ESPN's Tim Bontemps."
"In part, they benefited from injuries that thinned the ranks of contenders for the NBA's best player. Luka Doncic did not qualify for All-NBA last season after playing just 50 games, while first team pick Jayson Tatum has been sidelined since suffering a right Achilles rupture in May. And Victor Wembanyama's likely reign as Defensive Player of the Year was delayed by deep-vein thrombosis that ended his 2024-25 season prematurely."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic emerged as the NBA's top players in 2025, splitting all 100 first-place MVP votes and finishing 1-2 in an initial ESPN straw poll. Both starred in a memorable 2025 playoff series and maintained historic performance across the year. Injuries to Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Victor Wembanyama reduced competition for top honors. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with steady scoring as the team captured its first championship since relocating and opened the season 24-1. Jokic compiled triple-double averages while maintaining unprecedented efficiency. The annual Golden Basketball award evaluates combined regular-season and playoff achievements.
Read at ESPN.com
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