2026-27 NBA MVP Power Rankings: Top 10 Candidates After Week 2 (Nov. 3)

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The second week of the 2026-27 NBA season has given us a much clearer picture of the early MVP race. Some of the stars who opened the year hot have only strengthened their cases, while a few new names have forced their way into the conversation with dominant performances and winning basketball.

Luka Doncic remains at the center of the race after an extraordinary seven-game stretch. Still, Victor Wembanyama, Jayson Tatum, and several others are building serious cases of their own. Based on individual production, team success, and performances through Nov. 3, here are our top 10 candidates in the NBA MVP power rankings after Week 2.

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#10 Anthony Edwards

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Last Week: 2 (↓8)

Anthony Edwards has slipped down the rankings for now, but the drop has much more to do with availability than production. He is averaging 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists through four games, but an injury has kept him out while Minnesota has continued its season without him.

Once Edwards returns, his numbers are already strong enough to push him back up the MVP ladder quickly. For now, though, missing time while other candidates continue to build their cases makes a temporary slide unavoidable.

#9 Cooper Flagg

Last Week: NA

Cooper Flagg went 11-for-11 from the free-throw line in Dallas' most recent outing - Source: Imagn — Cooper Flagg went 11-for-11 from the free-throw line in Dallas’ most recent outing – Source: Imagn

Cooper Flagg has forced his way into the MVP conversation with a huge second-season leap, averaging 25.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field. His best stretch included 29 points and 11 assists against Miami, 26 points and eight assists against Oklahoma City, and a 33-point, nine-rebound, six-assist performance in a win over Houston.

Dallas is only 4-3, which keeps Flagg from climbing higher for now, especially after a rough shooting night against Sacramento.

#8 Ty Jerome

Last Week: 5 (↓3)

Ty Jerome is shooting 42.1% from three through his first six appearances - Source: Imagn — Ty Jerome is shooting 42.1% from three through his first six appearances – Source: Imagn

Ty Jerome has cooled slightly from his unreal opening week, but his overall numbers are still strong enough to keep him firmly in the MVP conversation. He is averaging 28.2 points and 5.7 assists while shooting 50.4% from the field.

Memphis recently suffered its first loss of the season, but with Jerome already producing two 40-point games in six appearances, his start remains one of the biggest surprises of the season.

#7 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last Week: 3 (↓4)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 26 points in five of Oklahoma City’s seven games - Source: Imagn — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 26 points in five of Oklahoma City’s seven games – Source: Imagn

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has not been quite as dominant as some of the names above him, but his latest performance was a reminder of how quickly that can change. He dropped 43 points and eight assists in Oklahoma City’s 117-112 win over Cleveland, lifting his season averages to 28.4 points and 4.0 assists per game.

His role could become even bigger from here, with Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace all sidelined for significant stretches, giving him a real chance to push his production higher and climb back up the MVP rankings.

#6 Cade Cunningham

Last Week: 4 (↓2)

Cade Cunningham has scored at least 30 points in two of Detroit’s last three games - Source: Imagn — Cade Cunningham has scored at least 30 points in two of Detroit’s last three games – Source: Imagn

Cade Cunningham continues to quietly build one of the stronger MVP cases in the East, averaging 23.7 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while Detroit sits at 6-1. His latest outing may have been his most complete yet, finishing with 33 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and five steals in a blowout win over Charlotte.

Detroit’s balance means Cunningham does not always need to carry the scoring load, but he remains the player who controls the offense.

#5 Alperen Sengun

Last Week: 7 (↑2)

Alperen Sengun has finished with at least seven assists in every game since opening night - Source: Imagn — Alperen Sengun has finished with at least seven assists in every game since opening night – Source: Imagn

Alperen Sengun has been one of the most important players on the best team in the Western Conference, with Houston sitting at 7-1. He has missed two games, but the Rockets are unbeaten in every game he has played, while Sengun is averaging 23.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists on 57.4% shooting.

His latest performance against Boston showed why his impact goes beyond scoring, as he finished with 26 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.

#4 Jayson Tatum

Last Week: NA

Jayson Tatum hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against the Brooklyn Nets - Source: Imagn — Jayson Tatum hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against the Brooklyn Nets – Source: Imagn

Jayson Tatum has settled into a strong rhythm after Boston’s opening-night loss, averaging 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists as the Celtics sit at 5-2. His best stretch included 36 points against New York, 40 against Brooklyn, and 32 against Orlando, with Boston winning five straight during that run.

The loss to Houston cooled things slightly, but Tatum is still doing far more than just scoring this season.

#3 Tyrese Maxey

Last Week: 6 (↑3)

Tyrese Maxey has scored at least 26 points in all eight games this season - Source: Imagn — Tyrese Maxey has scored at least 26 points in all eight games this season – Source: Imagn

Tyrese Maxey has emerged as Philadelphia’s leading scorer despite sharing the floor with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and LeBron James. He is averaging 29.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 50.3% from the field, with the Sixers owning a 7-1 record. Maxey has also been remarkably consistent, scoring at least 26 points in every game so far.

#2 Victor Wembanyama

Last Week: NA

Victor Wembanyama grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds in San Antonio’s overtime win over Utah - Source: Imagn — Victor Wembanyama grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds in San Antonio’s overtime win over Utah – Source: Imagn

Victor Wembanyama has been the main reason San Antonio has completely turned its season around. After opening 0-2, the Spurs have won five straight, with Wembanyama putting together a dominant stretch that included 29 points against Sacramento, 36 against Utah, and 43 against Minnesota.

He is averaging 25.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game and remains one of the league’s most disruptive defenders.

#1 Luka Doncic

Last Week: 1

Luka Doncic has made at least six three-pointers in four consecutive games - Source: Imagn — Luka Doncic has made at least six three-pointers in four consecutive games – Source: Imagn

Luka Doncic remains the clear frontrunner of the MVP race after an absurd opening stretch. He is averaging 38.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field, and has scored at least 37 points in five straight games.

What makes the run even more impressive is that the Lakers are winning along with it. Doncic followed a 45-point performance against Toronto with 42 points and 13 assists against Miami, pushing Los Angeles to 6-2 and keeping himself comfortably at the top of the ladder.

Edited by Riya Peter

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2026-27 NBA MVP Power Rankings: Top 10 Candidates After Week 2 (Nov. 3)

#10 Anthony Edwards

Last Week: 2 (↓8)

#9 Cooper Flagg

Last Week: NA

#8 Ty Jerome

Last Week: 5 (↓3)

#7 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last Week: 3 (↓4)

#6 Cade Cunningham

Last Week: 4 (↓2)

#5 Alperen Sengun

Last Week: 7 (↑2)

#4 Jayson Tatum

Last Week: NA

#3 Tyrese Maxey

Last Week: 6 (↑3)

#2 Victor Wembanyama

Last Week: NA

#1 Luka Doncic

Last Week: 1

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