Four weeks have wrapped up, and we’re almost a full month into the 2025-26 NBA season. Things look drastically different from last season, and in our latest MVP power rankings, there have been some holistic changes, too.The Detroit Pistons have turned their seven-game win streak into an 11-game streak, despite Cade Cunningham missing a few games. Jalen Duren is enjoying his time in the spotlight and has been a revelation alongside Cunningham.The Pistons appear elite, keeping a three-game chasm between them and the second seed. They are followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, and a resurgent Atlanta Hawks.Jalen Johnson is a new name to watch out for on the MVP ladder. In Trae Young’s absence, the forward is putting up miracle numbers and was named player of the week.Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a minor injury that sees him sidelined for a week or two. That inevitably pushes him out of our NBA MVP ladder. Donovan Mitchell has become the Cavaliers’ all-time winningest player.Turning our attention to the west, where superstars are doing things never done before. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has not played the fourth quarter in his last four games, as the Oklahoma City Thunder have been unstoppable, wrapping up games within three quarters at will.Nikola Jokic continues doing incredible things, but the Denver Nuggets’ seven-game win streak was snapped by the Chicago Bulls. Luka Doncic is happy to see LeBron James return to the starting lineup. The Lakers are now 11-4 and sit tied with the Nuggets.Victor Wembanyama is set to be out for the next two to three weeks. He has sustained a calf injury and could be on the verge of missing out on any major accolade for a second season running.The Spurs will be turning to De’Aaron Fox to help lift them up. With more superstars out due to injuries, there has been a dense air of questioning around the fatigue and pace of play.The minimum games played requirement has also been called into question. Will the league change its stance, or will stricter rules rob more deserving players of accolades?This is the first time in our MVP power rankings that don’t feature a tie. But, where are the shake-ups?Who just missed out?6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Last Week’s Rank: 3rd)7. Victor Wembanyama (Last Week’s Rank: 3rd)8. Tyrese Maxey (Last Week’s Rank: 6th)9. Josh Giddey (Last Week’s Rank: 8th)10. Alperen Sengun (Last Week’s Rank: NA)Sportskeeda NBA MVP Power Rankings 2025-26 Season: Latest Top 5 After Week 45. Donovan Mitchell [NEW]Previous Ranking: — 9thPER: 26.28 | 65.3 TS% | Team record: 10-5 | 30.9 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.5 SPG, & 0.5 BPGCleveland’s marquee scorer, Donovan Mitchell, makes an appearance on our MVP ladder. Spida has been scintillating over the last seven games. He’s put up roughly 32-6-6 on 48% shooting. Aside from his three-point shooting, Mitchell seems to have added mid-range shots to his arsenal. He’s on the 98th percentile for mid-range, and he’s clipping it at an elite efg rate of 59.8%.He helped the Cavs dismantle a Bucks team without Giannis from the second quarter by scoring 37, his third 30-point game in as many games.An underrated superstar in his own right, Donovan has led the Cavs from a weird slump right into contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. He’s only the third player this season to have eight games with more than 30 points. Special.One specific stat that backs his MVP caseHe’s only made 2 dunks this season, a high-flyer turning to a floater game is a true sign of evolution, and one that is often seen in superstars. He’s true shooting is a stunning 65%.4. Cade CunninghamPrevious Ranking: — 5thPER: 21.62 | 53.8 TS% | Team record: 9-2 | 27.3 PPG, 9.9 APG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 SPG, & 0.8 BPGThe Pistons are firing on all cylinders, and it's all thanks to Cade Cunningham’s leadership and resilience. For someone to continue shooting like he is doing and while making plays, it's absurd to see that teams are not doubling Cunningham enough. He’s averaging over 30 points and 10 assists in November.Granted, he was on a small break this week, but his team didn’t let that deter them and continued winning. However, as soon as he was back, he became the only player since the Big O to average 25-10 over a five-game win streak.Nike confirmed that Cade Cunningham will be the brand’s seventh athlete to get a signature shoe. A well-timed announcement.One specific stat that backs his MVP caseHe is leading the league in fourth-quarter scoring this season.3. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderPrevious Ranking: — 2PER: 34.15 | 66.0 TS% | Team record: 14-1 | 31.9 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG, & .9 BPGShai Gilegous-Alexander slips to third through once again, no fault of his own. He continues his fourth-quarter hiatus, sitting out his last four games. The Thunder still have no blemishes after that freak loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and have quietly stitched together a six-game win streak.Gilgeous-Alexander has sat out in the fourth quarter for nine out of 15 games! And yet, he is still averaging nearly 32-5-7. He is still nearly on a 40-50-90 season; his three-point shooting has slipped a bit. In these tightly contested MVP power rankings, even the slightest lapse is enough.Gilegous-Alexander is also on an 87-game streak where he has scored at least 20 points in a game. But he’s not getting to the line as often. He has the most games with more than 30 points and under five free throws.One specific stat that backs his MVP caseSince he scored only one three off nine shots on opening night, the reigning MVP is now averaging 41% on 5 attempts. Turnaround.2. Luka DoncicPrevious Ranking: — 5thPER: 29.34 | 61.7 TS% | Team record: 8-3 | 34.6 PPG, 9.0 APG, 8.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG, & 0.5 BPGLuka Doncic must be a really happy man to see LeBron James return. The Lakers are now 11-4 and sit comfortably in 3rd place, tied with the Denver Nuggets. Despite two ugly losses in the last two weeks, they have shown signs of contention, and the key to it has been Luka Doncic.He rises to second on our 2025-26 NBA MVP power rankings solely based on his numbers and the team’s shape. There are a few question marks around his game, but there is also some good.Doncic is leading the league in scoring, at a comfortable 34.6 points per game. The 2023-24 scoring title holder will be looking to add a second title to his crown and this time to add the MVP award as well. He also has the most 35-point, 10-assist game by a point guard since 1970. With each passing game, the Dallas Mavericks have to be ruing the trade and looking at an opportunity slipped by.Despite this, there are some tiny blemishes. He has the most three-point attempts in the league this season, but he’s making only 32% of them and is 198th in terms of makes. He is also leading the league in free-throw attempts. With his last game featuring 17 free throws made, he is now leading the free-throw attempt average in NBA history.While the previous player on our ladder did beat Doncic’s team resoundingly, and is sitting out fourth quarters, here is a stat crunch: in the game vs the Utah Jazz, Luka Doncic had 37 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds, with 4 steals. All of that before the fourth even started.One specific stat that backs his MVP caseIn his first 10 games, Doncic scored 344 points, had 89 assists and 36 made threes. The only player ever to reach those numbers.1. Nikola JokicPrevious Ranking: — 1stPER: 40.13 | 74.2 TS% | Team record: 11-2 | 29.2 PPG, 11.1 APG, 13.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG, & 0.8 BPGIn November, Nikola Jokic is averaging 34.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.8 assists; that is good for first, second and third, respectively. Yes, he is, in fact, averaging a 35-point triple-double this month. He passed Wilt Chamberlain for the most games with 30-15-10. And was the Western Conference player of the week, the second week in a row.The Nuggets are winning, albeit with a rather uncomfortable loss to the Chicago Bulls, in which Jokic put up 36-18-13. He also had a game with 55 points, 33 of which came in one half and 25 of those in the first quarter. He also shot the ball at a ridiculous clip, 18 out of 23.He’s still shot nearly 70% from the field this month, and with 47.5% from three-point land. For the season, his shooting splits are 64.8 from the field, 39.3 from three, and 85.7% from the charity stripe. Let’s not forget, he’s a center. And he’s putting up a ridiculous 40.15 PER!They’re tied with the Lakers on the 2nd step atop a very crowded Western Conference, and we are relishing the matchup between the top 3. Jokic, in the meantime, will hold on to the top spot of our 2025-26 NBA MVP power rankings.One specific stat that backs his MVP caseHe is averaging nearly a 30-point triple-double for the season. He leads the league in assists and rebounds and is seventh in scoring. Absurd.