NBA Awards Race Recap: SGA Expected to Win MVP

Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year is the largest favorite in any market.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:32pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form that capture the dynamic energy of the sport.The NBA's top individual awards race is heating up, with young stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama leading the charge.Denver Today

The NBA regular season has concluded, and the race for the league's top individual awards is heating up. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to win his second straight MVP award, while Victor Wembanyama is the heavy favorite to take home the Defensive Player of the Year honor. The Rookie of the Year race remains one of the most closely watched stories, with Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel leading the pack.

Why it matters

The NBA awards races are always a topic of intense interest for fans and media, as they provide insight into the league's top performers and the direction of the game. This year's races are particularly intriguing, with several young stars emerging as potential award winners and the continued dominance of established superstars like Gilgeous-Alexander.

The details

Gilgeous-Alexander is favored to win his second straight MVP award after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season. He averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 55.3% shooting. Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs' rookie sensation, is expected to win Defensive Player of the Year, with a 99% chance according to prediction app Kalshi. The Rookie of the Year race is a close one, with Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) and Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) leading the pack.

  • The NBA regular season concluded in April 2026.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder star is the heavy favorite to win his second straight NBA MVP award after leading his team to the top seed in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season.

Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs rookie is the overwhelming favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, with a 99% chance according to prediction app Kalshi.

Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks rookie is the current favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, with a 53% chance according to Kalshi.

Kon Knueppel

The Charlotte Hornets rookie is second in the Rookie of the Year race, with a 42% chance according to Kalshi.

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What’s next

The NBA awards will be announced in the coming weeks, with the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year among the most highly anticipated honors.

The takeaway

This year's NBA awards race showcases the league's rising stars, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama poised to claim the top individual honors. The close Rookie of the Year battle between Flagg and Knueppel adds to the excitement, as the next generation of NBA talent continues to emerge.