The Top Ten Players in the NBA Right Now

The NBA has become box-office again, with a global audience of sports fans tuning in for the 2026 Playoffs. They are taking place right now, and we will go all the way through to the NBA Finals in June. It’s one of the best few months in sports.

As is ever the case, the NBA’s true stars are standing up to be counted, in many cases carrying their scintillating regular-season form into the postseason. But just who are the best players in the league right now? We think we can list the ten best on form below.

For clarity, we are discussing players based on performance across the 2025/26 season and into the playoffs, i.e., the type of players that fans back when they bet on the NBA MVP. That means a couple of locked-in Hall of Famers, such as Steph Curry, will miss out, even if they end up with undeniably better careers than those on this list. Anyhow, let’s jump in:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder
He doesn’t have the adoration of neutral fans, but SGA is once again the most influential player in the league. He averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, and he shot brilliantly for a guard. He is the best player on the league’s best team. Nothing more needs to be said.

Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
There is a growing chorus of voices calling for Jokić, not SGA, to be named MVP. There’s a solid argument, too, as he is probably the best player in the world over the last five seasons, even if SGA nips ahead this year. He led the league in both rebounds and assists, which is ridiculous for anyone, never mind a center. 

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
The future of the NBA is now taking the leap to becoming its biggest star. Wemby averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-leading 3.1 blocks. He is the best defensive player in the league, and his coming of age this season powered the Spurs into contender status.

Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
The league’s top scorer at 33.5 points per game. Even in a loaded MVP field, his shot-making and offensive control kept him right near the top. It’s a little bit disappointing that his injuries have put a dent in his chances to influence the Playoffs. The Lakers need him back.

Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
With Jayson Tatum working back from injury, Brown was the man tasked to become the face of the Celtics franchise. He did so with gusto. This was probably his best regular season as a true No. 1 option. It will be interesting to see if he continues to shine with Tatum back in the fold.

Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
A massive season for both Cunningham and his Detroit Pistons. He basically had his breakout to the elite season, dragging his team with him. It really does look like the sky is the limit for Cunningham, though, will the Pistons be able to match his ambition?

Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
The Hawks and Johnson were the perfect match this season, becoming the league’s breakout team with its breakout star. One of the season’s breakout stars. His 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists made him a near triple-double threat and a genuine franchise-level player. 

Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers)
A throwback elite Kawhi year. He ended up with 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, strong efficiency, and top-tier defense. The big story was that he was injury-free. Though there was huge disappointment for the Clippers in the Play-In Tournament.

Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
Still ridiculous at 37. Durant averaged 26 points and immediately became Houston’s most important player, showing that his scoring game is aging about as gracefully as anyone’s in NBA history. The only issue is that the injury has again dented his season right when it matters.

Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
The most underrated player in the league? Mitchell remained Cleveland’s engine, averaging 27.9 points and 5.7 assists. He was especially dangerous late in games. He has become beloved by the Cavs fans, and he may have something to say in the Playoffs.