Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), the star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is the clear favorite for the 2026 NBA MVP award, with his odds rising to -5000. This surge follows the season-ending hamstring injury of Luka Doncic, which has sidelined the Dallas Mavericks star and significantly affected his MVP candidacy. SGA's outstanding performance, averaging 31.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, positions him as a strong candidate, especially with the Thunder performing well in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP, has also benefited from Doncic's injury, moving his odds to +5000 after another stellar season, which included leading the Denver Nuggets to 54 wins and averaging a triple-double over multiple seasons. The MVP award is determined by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, who consider factors such as individual statistics, team success, and player narratives. Historically, MVP winners often come from top-performing teams, making SGA's position even more favorable as the Thunder aim for the best record in the league.