Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports Fri, November 6, 2026 at 10:56 AM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The calendar has turned to November, and the NBA regular season is settling into a rhythm.
Thus far, it has been clear that there will be no shortage of candidates for the league's top individual honor. The reigning two-time Most Valuable Player, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , has been exceptional to start the season, especially in the face of the numerous injuries his team has faced.
And yet, there are four players ranked ahead of him after two weeks of games, two of which had been unranked in last week's edition .
Here is the second iteration of the USA TODAY Sports' NBA Most Valuable Player rankings:
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1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images) 3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images) 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (Sam Navarro, Imagn Images) 6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Bill Streicher, Imagn Images) 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Winslow Townson, Getty Images) 10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Luiza Moraes, Getty Images) 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks (Elsa, Getty Images) 17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images) 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (Megan Briggs, Getty Images) 21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images) 24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Cole Burston, Getty Images) 25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (Ron Jenkins, Getty Images) 32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images) 36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (Tim Warner, Getty Images) 41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Mitchell Leff, Getty Images) 42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Sean Gardner, Getty Images) 1 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 1 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 2 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images) 3 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images) 5 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (Sam Navarro, Imagn Images) 6 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Bill Streicher, Imagn Images) 7 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 8 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 9 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Winslow Townson, Getty Images) 10 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 11 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 12 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 13 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 14 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 15 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Luiza Moraes, Getty Images) 16 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks (Elsa, Getty Images) 17 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images) 18 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 19 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 20 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (Megan Briggs, Getty Images) 21 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 22 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 23 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images) 24 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Cole Burston, Getty Images) 25 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 26 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 27 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 28 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 29 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 30 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 31 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (Ron Jenkins, Getty Images) 32 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 33 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 34 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 35 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images) 36 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 37 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 38 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 39 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 40 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (Tim Warner, Getty Images) 41 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Mitchell Leff, Getty Images) 42 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 43 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 44 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 45 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 46 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 47 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 48 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 49 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 50 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Sean Gardner, Getty Images) USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP Week 2 rankings 5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , Oklahoma City Thunder (-1) ▶ Stats: 30.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists in 8 games
If the last two Thunder games are any indication – both of which were victories against the Cleveland Cavaliers – Gilgeous-Alexander may be called upon to significantly increase his scoring while Oklahoma City contends with its many injuries. Gilgeous-Alexander has combined to score 85 points and dish out 16 assists over those last two, on a remarkable 61 field goal attempts.
▶ Stats: 28.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists in 9 games
This is a loaded team, to be sure, but Maxey has been the clear standout from the group. So much so that Jaylen Brown, one of the new marquee additions, said recently that Philadelphia "is his team," referring to Maxey, adding that he has "been leading the way for sure." Maxey's numbers have actually taken a small dip, but considering the star talent playing around him, that's practically remarkable in itself. His perimeter shot has been stellar, he can create for others and his speed in transition is unparalleled across the entire league.
▶ Stats: 29.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists in 7 games
Who says the MVP is a young man's game? Curry, approaching his 39th birthday in March, has been torching opposing defenses with a relentless barrage of 3-point shots. Even at his age, Curry is seemingly tireless and remains the most difficult player to defend off the ball. Perhaps more impressively, the Warriors have been a pleasant surprise to start the season, even without Jimmy Butler (ACL recovery) and Kristaps Porziņģis (away from team).
▶ Stats: 29.0 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists in 8 games
It's too early in the season for a player to already have an MVP moment, but Wembanyama's dominance Wednesday, Nov. 4 in a one-point win against the Mavericks was astounding. He dropped 52 points, 24 rebounds and 8 blocks. He became only the second player since blocks began to be tracked in 1974 to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks in a single game, joining Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo. The Spurs have won six consecutive, and Wembanyama is playing the best basketball of his young career.
▶ Stats: 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists in 8 games
How historic is Dončić's absolute scorcher to start the season? Entering the year, NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain had recorded the Top 4 marks for points per game in a single season. Those ranged from 50.4 to 37.6. It has been just eight games, but Dončić is now slotted in at No. 3 and is topping the best non-Chamberlain mark, set by Michael Jordan (37.1) in 1986-87. Dončić, undeniably, has been the best player thus far. And now that LeBron James is no longer in Los Angeles, he's able to fully orchestrate coach JJ Redick's offense.
Also under consideration: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (dropped out of rankings); Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (dropped out of rankings); Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets; Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Nikola Joki ć, Denver Nuggets
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is making a run at Doncic, Wembanyama? Latest NBA MVP rankings
Source: Sports
