NBA MVP Race: Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Refuse to Campaign

The two stars let their on-court play speak for itself in the tight MVP race.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:56pm

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The race for the 2025–26 NBA Most Valuable Player award has intensified in the final weeks of the regular season, with multiple candidates delivering standout performances. Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder remain central figures in the discussion, but both players have declined to actively campaign for the award, choosing instead to let their on-court production speak for itself.

Why it matters

The contrasting approaches between Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander, who have avoided public advocacy for the MVP, and other candidates like Victor Wembanyama who have openly outlined their cases, has become a notable storyline in the race. The debate highlights different philosophies on how players should navigate the MVP conversation.

The details

Doncic has been one of the league's most productive players, leading the NBA in scoring and delivering a dominant stretch after the All-Star break. His performances have coincided with a strong run for the Lakers, who have climbed to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Gilgeous-Alexander has also been a central figure in Oklahoma City's success this season, with his scoring efficiency and consistency helping position the team among the league's top contenders.

  • The race for the 2025–26 NBA MVP award has intensified in the final weeks of the regular season.
  • Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander have both declined to actively campaign for the award in recent interviews.

The players

Luka Doncic

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who is considered a frontrunner for the 2025–26 NBA MVP award.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is also considered a top contender for the 2025–26 NBA MVP award.

Victor Wembanyama

A player who has publicly outlined his case for the 2025–26 NBA MVP award, emphasizing his defensive impact, team success, and overall influence on both ends of the floor.

Nikola Jokic

A player who is also considered a top contender for the 2025–26 NBA MVP award.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who has publicly supported Doncic's MVP case.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not the one voting. I let my game do the talking.”

— Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers Player

“I think it's good for the league. I think it's good chatter. It gives people something to talk about.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Player

“No, I'm good... I let my game do the talking.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Player

What’s next

The race for the 2025–26 NBA MVP award will continue to be closely watched as the regular season enters its final stretch, with voters set to make their final decision in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander's refusal to actively campaign for the MVP award, in contrast to other candidates like Wembanyama, highlights different philosophies on how players should navigate the MVP conversation. Their approach of letting their on-court performance speak for itself has become a notable storyline in one of the league's most competitive MVP races in recent years.