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Mike Malone snubs Nikola Jokic as he backs another 2025-26 MVP pick
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- Mike Malone snubs Nikola Jokic as he backs another 2025-26 MVP pick
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mike Malone has spent a decade alongside Nikola Jokic , guiding the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 championship.
That background matters when Malone speaks about the MVP race. He has coached an all-time great and understands what separates elite production from genuine value across an entire season.
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The debate has centred on familiar names, including Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic . In that context, Malone has taken a clear stance on who deserves recognition for this campaign.
His view focuses on consistency, efficiency and late-game impact.
Mike Malone defends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the 2025-26 MVP
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Speaking on ESPN on Wednesday, Malone stated: "To me, he [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] has proven himself to be the best clutch player in the NBA.
"He's got five game-tying or go ahead field goal attempts makes in the last 30 seconds. And he's got a chance to be the first guard ever to average 30 points per game and shoot 55% from the field.
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"You talk about consistency, 20 points every single night against a defense that is trying to game plan for you. No disrespect to Wemby, Nikola Jokic, everybody else. But I think SGA is incredible in his ability to impact the game in all shapes and forms."
That argument is supported by production. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, while ranking as the league's second-leading scorer behind Luka Doncic.
MVP Ladder shift highlights growing Victor Wembanyama challenge
Despite that consistency, the latest MVP Ladder shows a shift in momentum. Victor Wembanyama has moved into the No.1 spot as the season enters its final stretch.
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The Spurs star's rise reflects his two-way dominance. His defensive presence has become central to the debate, adding rim protection and versatility to elite scoring output.
Wembanyama's late-season surge has reshaped the race. It introduces a different interpretation of value, where defensive impact also carries weight.
Malone's stance ensures the discussion remains balanced, with Gilgeous-Alexander's sustained excellence still firmly at the centre of the MVP conversation.
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