Photo credit: Santeri Viinamäki
Originally published at The MVP Chase.
In This Issue: NBA and NHL MVP Chase updates.
NBA MVP CHASE
There is a two-man race for the NBA MVP between the best player on the best team, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander of the Thunder, and the game’s best player, Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets. They were also last year’s MVP and runner-up. I say that Jokic’s the best player because he’s led the league in most “advanced” stats for most of the decade. He’s still ahead this year, although SGA isn’t far behind.
Barring injury to either, no one else stands much of a chance to win this MVP Chase or the official NBA MVP Award. However, there is a race for the third, fourth, and fifth spots on the NBA MVP ballot. And to make the ballot is an honor in and of itself.
The NBA MVP Chase is based on the number of victories in which a player’s Game Score and plus/minus totaled 30 or more. For games played through December 19, 2025, although team records are through December 20. Data collected from Stathead.com.
20 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (25-3)
18 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (20-7)
15 Jalen Brunson, Knicks (19-8)
12 Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers (15-14)
11 Luka Doncic, Lakers (19-8)
10 Jaylen Brown, Celtics (17-11)
9 Austin Reaves, Lakers (19-8)
8 Several players
NHL MVP Chase
In the NHL, wins count as 2 points, and overtime losses count as a tie: 1 point. Therefore, players who performed well in an overtime loss receive credit for the NHL MVP (i.e., Hart Trophy) Chase because their efforts help their team in the standings.
As of this writing, the Avalanche have lost just two games in regulation all season, with seven overtime losses. Center Nathan MacKinnon is tied for first in the NHL in points has has a +/- of 43. Martin Necas, his teammate, is second at 33. In fact, the Avalanche are so dominant that the top five leaders in +/- are on that team, and their goalie is tied for second behind MacKinnon in the MVP Chase.
The NHL MVP Chase is based on the number of victories and overtime losses in which a player’s points and plus/minus equals three or more, or a goalie has allowed two goals or fewer. Data collected from Stathead.com, and player positions (e.g., why does it say F instead of C for that guy but not that other guy?) come from HockeyReference.com.
For games played through December 20, 2025:
18 Nathan MacKinnon (C), Avalanche
15 Scott Wedgewood (G), Avalanche
15 Logan Thompson (G) Stars
13 Connor McDavid (C), Oilers
13 Cale Makar (D), Avalanche
13 Macklin Celebrini (F), Sharks
12 Artturi Lehkonen (LW), Avalanche
11 Leon Draisaitl (F), Oilers
11 Jason Robertson (LW), Stars
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Contact James Leroy Wilson for writing, editing, research, and other work at jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com. Visit JL Cells for my non-sports writing.
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