We’re not even a full month into the 2026-27 NBA season, but, once again, injuries are playing a role in the race for Most Valuable Player.
After Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was knocked out just four games into the season, an oblique abdominal tear has impacted the availability of Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry.
Either way, it’s clear there’s plenty of elite star power leading the way, with some historic performances already from the likes of San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić.
Here is the third iteration of the USA TODAY Sports' NBA Most Valuable Player rankings:
USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP Week 3 rankings
Stats as of games played through Thursday, Nov. 12. Most
Valuable Player odds as of 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 12, courtesy of BetMGM.
5. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (-2)
- Stats: 27.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists in 10 games
- Last week: 3
- MVP odds: +15000
This is the last time Curry will appear on this list, at least for a few weeks. Curry suffered an oblique abdominal tear and will be reevaluated in two weeks. It’s a shame because Curry was playing superb offensive basketball, making 3-pointers at an absurd 45.7% clip, which would mark a career high. The Warriors will likely struggle without Curry, who may need some time to regain his form after missing time away from the court.
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (N/A)
- Stats: 26.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists in 11 games
- Last week: not ranked
- MVP odds: +1200
This is a controlled and calculated Tatum. During Boston’s much-anticipated matchup Tuesday against former teammate Jaylen Brown and the 76ers, Tatum focused on business and did not let his emotions get in the way. It’s clear he’s also fully back from his ruptured Achilles tendon from May 2025. There’s more fluidity to his game this season, as new teammate Paul George is taking on a more complementary role. It also has the Celtics looking like a massive threat early in the East.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+2)
- Stats: 29.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists in 12 games
- Last week: 5
- MVP odds: +750
The past two games, consecutive losses to the Portland Trail Blazers, have shown just how difficult it will be for Gilgeous-Alexander to keep Oklahoma City afloat while it manages numerous devastating injuries. Gilgeous-Alexander is playing well and putting up numbers. It’s just requiring a lot of effort, and he’s not playing with his typical efficiency. All of this makes sense; with so many starters out, defenses can devote additional attention to stopping him. And with the two players above on historic heaters, it’s going to take a massive effort to climb up this list.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (—)
- Stats: 30.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists in 12 games
- Last week: 2
- MVP odds: +150
Not only has it become undeniable that Wembanyama is playing the best basketball of his career, it’s clear he’s still ascending. Over his last five games, Wembanyama is averaging an astounding 36.6 points per game, and the Spurs own the NBA’s longest active winning streak, at 10 games. This has been a more confident Wembanyama, a more assured one who knows exactly how to exploit defenses. The most frightening fact in the NBA remains this: Wembanyama will turn just 23 on Jan. 4. In other words: get used to it, and expect to see him on this list for the next decade-plus.
1. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers (—)
- Stats: 38.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists in 11 games
- Last week: 1
- MVP odds: +155
In each of his last two games, Dončić scored 32 points. He has been so hot to start the season that those performances lowered his scoring average by 6.5 points per game. Despite the ho hum 64 points across his last two, Dončić is showing no signs of slowing down, and he has led the Lakers to the best record (11-2) in the Western Conference. Dončić is shooting 3s at a career-high 40.8% clip, and his overall efficiency is as good as it has been since he arrived in Los Angeles. He did sustain a slight right ankle tweak Wednesday, Nov. 11, but it was just a scare, as he reported no pain the following day. It seems, at this point, like injuries might be the only thing to rein him in.
Also under consideration: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat; Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons; Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers; Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks; Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New player joins NBA MVP rankings, but top two still clear the field
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