The NBA MVP race just took another dramatic turn, and not everyone is happy about it. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić has jumped ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the latest MVP rankings.
Given how dominant Gilgeous-Alexander has been all season, some fans are calling foul, arguing that the league is doing everything possible to hand Jokić his fourth MVP title.
Fans Call Out the NBA MVP Rankings
Jokić has been putting up historic numbers this season, averaging 29 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game. His masterpiece — a 31-point, 21-rebound, and 22-assist triple-double against the Phoenix Suns — made him the first player in NBA history to record a 30/20/20 stat line. With 29 triple-doubles this season, Jokić has more than the next three highest players combined.
That’s MVP-level dominance, right? Not everyone agrees. Some fans believe Gilgeous-Alexander has done more to deserve the top spot, leading the league in scoring with 32.8 points per game while also averaging 5.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He’s been on a scoring tear lately, dropping 51 against the Houston Rockets, 41 against the Memphis Grizzlies, and 40 against Jokić’s own Nuggets.
Yet, despite leading the MVP race for most of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander now finds himself trailing Jokić. That’s where the frustration starts.
“Embarrassing 🤣🤣🤣 Shai is clearly the MVP,” one fan reacted, summing up what many Thunder supporters are feeling.
Embarrassing 🤣🤣🤣 Shai is clearly the MVP
— danielxcha (@loynerlucas) March 14, 2025
One of the biggest frustrations among fans is the ever-changing criteria for the MVP award. Some believe Gilgeous-Alexander is being held to a different standard than past winners, while Jokić is benefiting from voter bias.
“If Jokić wins again, this award is pointless. They’re doing everything in their power to give it to this dude that plays one side of the court and stat pads,” another fan fumed.
Echoing that sentiment, one fan added:
“How? SGA is the MVP.”
How? SGA is the mvp
— briceball24 (@briceronis) March 14, 2025
But others see it differently, arguing that if you strip away narratives and focus purely on stats and efficiency, Jokić is still the best player in the league.
“SGA gonna get robbed again take away racial bias, take away Joker’s three MVPs, and put stats next to each other as well as efficiency. JOKER CLEARS,” one user wrote.
“SGA gonna get robbed again”
Take away racial bias, take away jokers 3 MVPs, and put stats next to each other as well as efficiency. JOKER CLEARS
— Alejandro Leyva (@Alejandr0Leyva) March 14, 2025
With one month left in the regular season, the MVP race is still wide open. Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić will continue to battle for the top spot, and every performance matters. But one thing is clear — fans aren’t going to stop debating this anytime soon, as one fan put it:
“Jokić at #1, SGA climbing the ranks, and LeBron still making the top 10? 😳 This MVP race is crazy this year! Can’t wait to see how it shakes out! 🔥🏀.”
Whether you’re Team Jokić or Team Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP conversation is just getting started. Given how both contenders are performing, this race could go either way.