Copyright sportskeeda
The 2025-26 season is underway, and what a blistering start it has been. 5 Players have scored 50 points. In the midst of it, former Champions look lost, and new teams have arrived to stake their claim to the top of the standings.Our highlight, however, is going to be players who have been instrumental in their team’s success. As it is the first week of the 2025-26 NBA season, the ladder features some newcomers. With each team playing at least 4 games, we now have a slightly clearer idea of who will be good and who will be bad.The usual crop of superstars is doing exceptional things on the court. Shai-Gilgeous Alexander has led the 2024-25 champions to a flawless, 5-0 start. Nikola Jokic, however, is looking a little sluggish in comparison.Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton’s long absence only means their teams are faltering and are at the bottom of the standings. Their absence only proves that the NBA superstardom is what can make or break a franchise.Aside from that, Luka Doncic was off to a high-flying start but was abruptly shot down due to a groin and hand injury. LeBron James hasn’t played yet and is not expected to till mid-November. Kevin Durant is on a Rockets team that is facing issues with the lack of a pure ball-handler. Steph Curry has quietly led his Warriors to a 3-1 start.So, who sits on the top rung and who are closely behind?Sportskeeda NBA MVP Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Top 5 Players After Week 1Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderPrevious Ranking: — NilPER: NA | 60.8 TS% | Team record: 5-0 | 34.8 PPG, 6.2 APG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 SPG, & 1.4 BPG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has started the season as he means to. He is on the top step of Sportkseeda’s MVP Ladder, and the reason is rock solid. A 5-0 record for the team without their 2nd-best player, Jalen Williams. SGA has a 55-point game and has been remarkable on the defensive end.His numbers may be a bit inflated without Williams, but that does nothing to detract from his fiery start. In the season opener, he scored 24 points in the 4th quarter and overtime to lead OKC past a resilient Rockets. There’s arguably no better player in the clutch. With surgical precision in finding the mid-range and an innate ability to get to the line, SGA is without a doubt no.1 on our MVP Power rankings.One reason why he should be the MVPShai’s scoring and playmaking are elite, but to start the season, he’s averaging a stunning 2.8 stocks a game. Can he turn this two-way spark into an ember that could make him a threat on both ends of the floor? If so, the ceiling could be limitless. For the league, that is a scary prospect.2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee BucksPrevious Ranking: — NilPER: NA | 72.2 TS% | Team record: 3-1 | 36.3 PPG, 7 APG, 14 RPG, 0.7 SPG, & 1.3 BPGGiannis Antetokounmpo deserves to be 2nd on the MVP ladder. With Damian Lillard off to Portland, Brook Lopez signing with the Clippers, and no Khris Middleton, the Bucks are not the same. But Giannis, in his 13th season, is defying all expectations. Many expected him to have a 2018 LeBron James-esque season, and boy oh boy, is he having one.The Bucks have faced the Cavs and the Knicks in the first 4 games of the season and managed to come out with a 3-1 record. After beating the Knicks, Giannis now has the most games in NBA history with 35/5/5 on 70% FG.Additionally, he is the first player ever to record more than 140 points, 50 rebounds and 20 assists through the first 4 games. Putting up the kind of numbers you’d have to rub your eyes to believe. This is why he’s 2nd on our MVP Power rankings.One reason why he should be the MVPVideo game numbers. Since the start of the season, Giannis has been the first to reach various statistical marks. To lead a team with so many gaping holes to a 3-1 record deserves merit on its own. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursH4: Previous Ranking: NILPER:- | 68.4 TS% | Team record: 4-0 | 31.0 PPG, 13.8 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG, & 4.8 BPGThere is a case to be made for Victor Wembanyama to be at the top of the Power Rankings. He has made quite a ridiculous and highlight-worthy start; however, he has faced some rather easier opposition. Wemby has returned from a blood clot issue and is looking like a man reborn. With much more ferocity while attacking the rim, his mid-range game, and his tighter handle have vaulted him to the top 3 of our rankings.He had quite an eclectic summer, where he worked out with the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Garnett, and Jamal Crawford. If you have watched him this season, he has showcased something from each of those masters of the game. He is the first player in NBA history to start a season with 100 points and 18 blocks in his first 3 games.But what is most peculiar is his change in shot diet. Wembanyama has gone from attempting 45% of his shots from 3 to just a mere 15%. His average shot distance has gone down by almost half, from 17 ft to 9.4 ft. We’re witnessing an alien finally deciding to dominate the paint and what’s scary is that he doesn’t even look close enough to be touching his ceiling.One reason why he should be the MVPEvery game, Victor Wembanyama seems to be producing at least one play that is highlight-worthy. He does things that seemingly cannot be described and should only be seen. More often than not, watchers will be in awe, and when a player is must-see TV and leading their team to wins, that player should be an MVP.Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ersH4: Previous Ranking: NILPER:- | 61.9 TS% | Team record: 4-0 | 37.5 PPG, 8.3 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG, & 0.8 BPGHere’s a question for you: how would the Philadelphia 76ers look without their MVP? The answer is a surprising 4-0 start to the season. Sure, Embiid is still around, and while on a minutes restriction, which he isn’t too happy about, we’re sure he’s delighted at his team’s progress.Leading the charge is Tyrese Maxey. The 1x All-Star is in the form of his life to start his 6th year in the NBA. Maxey is only the 2nd player in NBA history to score 150 points more, while dishing out more than 30 assists in the first 4 games of the season. The other? Russell Westbrook in his MVP season. He’s forming a fast-flowing, high-flying backcourt duo with rookie VJ Edgecombe, who is also on a red-hot streak of his own.Kevin Garnett seems to think Maxey has a clear shot at the award.One reason why he should be the MVPHe’s scored 150 in the first four games, with an average of 37 a game. The last Sixer to do that? Wilt Chamberlain. He’s been given the nickname “The Franchise” by Joel Embiid, and well, the actual franchise will be very happy to see him back with such aplomb.Stephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsH4: Previous Ranking: NILPER:- | 68.9 TS% | Team record: 4-1 | 27 PPG, 5 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG, & 0.8 BPGAfter a season that could only be described as a disappointment, Steph Curry and the Warriors are off the mark in a tight Western Conference. When Curry plays alongside Jimmy Butler, the Warriors are 28-7. The Warriors were in a spiral before the big trade and even during the playoffs, they were outplayed in large stretches.Curry looks different this season. He has a lot less to do and that means, when the going gets tough, Curry gets going. He scored 16 straight points in overtime vs the Nuggets, in which Aaron Gordon scored 50 and was 9/10 from 3. When it matters, there’s no better player than Curry in the dying minutes of a game.One reason why he should be the MVPHe’s on course to record another 50-40-90 season. The twist here is that he has yet to miss a free throw. Aside from a statistical point of view. No one at age 37 is getting it done like Steph. There’s a real chance the Warriors contend this year, and at the heart of it, as always, will be Steph Curry.Honorable mentions: So, there are a few names amiss. But closely following behind the 5 on our first power rankings ladder are:Nikola Jokic: 3 straight triple-doubles to start the season, our favorite horse guy will be on the ladder sooner rather than later.Luka Doncic: The Slovenian is averaging 49, but injuries and a small sample size mean he misses out. Another one to watch.Austin Reaves: The Lakers’ 3rd option is carrying a hapless Lakers team in Luka and LeBron’s absence. Reaves recently dropped 51 and is worthy of a mention in this power ranking.Donovan Mitchell: The Cavaliers will look to be a force in a wide-open Eastern Conference and leading them to glory will be Donovan Mitchell, who’s averaging 31 points a game.
