NBA MVP race 2026: Ranking the five strongest candidates
With Oklahoma City separating themselves in the West and Detroit’s shock rise reshaping the East, the MVP race has entered its most decisive phase.
While familiar superstars continue to lead the conversation, new names are forcing their way into the picture.
From scoring dominance to franchise-defining leadership, several players have built strong cases this year.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jake Reed gives a ranking of the five strongest candidates so far.
NBA 2025/26: Whose Championship Odds Have Shrunk Throughout the First Half of the Season?
The defending NBA champions haven’t missed a beat. Oklahoma City’s 36-8 record through mid-January has turned the regular season into something that feels less like a race and more like everyone else fighting for second place.
After being considered +230 shots in preseason, the popular Lucky-Rebel betting site now positions OKC as a mightily short +115 favourite to repeat as champions. And truth be told, they have played like a team that deserves top billing. But the more interesting story lives a tier below them, where a handful of franchises have forced oddsmakers to admit they misread the room.
The real story of the championship odds board is how those teams have dragged themselves from the long-shot margins to the centre of the conversation.
NBA Playoffs news: New York Knicks escape Detroit Pistons comeback thanks to controversial no-call foul
Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round Matchup ended with the New York Knicks taking a hard-fought 94-93 victory in Detroit.
However, the game was not without controversy as the Pistons Tim Hardaway Jr felt he was fouled on a possible game-winning shot as time expired.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Carter breaks down the game and the controversy that surrounded its final moments.
NBA betting tips: Oklahoma City Thunder pump the Detroit Pistons as West meets East
Sports News Blitz NBA expert George Dempsey breaks down Saturday night's clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons.
With OKC eyeing another statement win and the Pistons fighting for a playoff spot, this showdown promises plenty of intrigue.
NBA betting tips: Houston Rockets to gain revenge, San Antonio Spurs to struggle without Wembanyama
It is set to be another blockbuster weekend in the NBA, with the second half of the season now well under way and play-off contenders starting to pull clear of the chasing pack.
Sports News Blitz tipster George Dempsey offers his best betting tips ahead of the action.
NBA betting tips: Mavericks to ruin Pistons homecoming, Bucks to compound Spurs misery
NBA action continues this weekend with a number of high-profile games on the cards.
Sports News Blitz tipster George Dempsey offers his top picks ahead of the excitement.
NBA betting tips: Kings to punish toothless Timberwolves, Pistons to rattle Raptors
The broom was out and our pockets were full after last week’s NBA column, where George Dempsey swept up with a trio of tasty winners on his Sports News Blitz debut.
Let’s see if we can make another pretty penny on Friday night…