Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic approaching MVP disqualification

The odds for the NBA’s regular-season MVP have become more competitive in recent weeks, with the leading two contenders — Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic — facing potential disqualification for the award due to a new NBA regulation.

Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be the favored choice, listed at -125 on Wednesday at DraftKings Sportsbook, while Jokic stands at +310. However, both former MVP recipients risk ineligibility this season because of an NBA rule that disallows players who miss over 17 games from being considered for postseason honors.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) as he recovers from an abdominal strain that has kept him off the court since February 3. This will mark his 11th missed game this season, and he must participate in at least 16 of the remaining 22 regular-season contests to qualify for a second consecutive MVP title.

Jokic, who has already been absent for 16 games this season, will be disqualified if he misses two additional games.

The uncertainty surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic has increased betting interest in Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. In the past week, Cunningham has garnered more MVP bets at DraftKings Sportsbook than all other players combined. His odds have shifted from 14-1 to the third favorite at 9-2 during this period.

Throughout the season, Cunningham has received more MVP bets than any other player at BetMGM sportsbooks. Christian Hockerson, an NBA trader with BetMGM, noted that the sportsbook is in a favorable position regarding Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, but the rising interest in Cunningham and the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown — whose odds have changed from 10-1 to 40-1 in the last week — has introduced some risk.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is at 20-1, but he is also nearing the threshold for games played, having missed 14 games this season. Wembanyama has attracted more bets on DraftKings’ MVP odds than any other player this season.

Hockerson mentioned that BetMGM has also seen recent interest in Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (100-1) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (250-1).

A recent straw MVP poll of 100 media members conducted by ESPN revealed that Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear frontrunner, assuming he qualifies.