Emirates NBA Cup MVP Ladder: Jalen Brunson Holds No. 1 Heading into the Championship
LAS VEGAS — Only one game remains to seize the moment, steer the conversation, and erase any lingering doubt. The player who climbs highest in the scorecard on Tuesday’s Emirates NBA Cup Final is most likely to wear MVP hardware as well as the Cup itself.
The rule of thumb is simple: lead your team to the title in dominant fashion, and you’ll walk away with both pieces of hardware. The finalists are the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, the last two squads standing in Cup play, each with plenty of candidates who could earn MVP consideration.
Across the Cup MVP ladder, which spans Group Play, the knockout rounds, and the Las Vegas showdowns, four of the top five remain in contention. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands as the lone exception, having already claimed nearly every other accolade this past year.
The winner of the Cup MVP contest will have a defining moment that could ripple into future seasons, perhaps this season’s stretch run or next spring.
But for now, the focus is on one game, one award for the triumphant team, and the individual who makes the decisive impact.
Cup Final spotlight: This moment is uncharted territory for both the Knicks and Spurs. Most players on these rosters haven’t faced a championship-stage moment this pronounced. The stage might suit the two brightest stars: Jalen Brunson for New York and Victor Wembanyama for San Antonio.
Key stat: Brunson has been exceptionally accurate in Cup play, consistently finding his preferred spots. He has reached at least 50% shooting in every Cup game except one, a 12-for-25 night against the Bulls.
What’s being said: “Can you be Sixth Man of the Year and MVP?” — a question posed by Wembanyama after his return from a calf strain, coming off the bench in his first game back.
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Last ranking: No. 2
Brunson erupted for a 40-point game to push the Knicks past the Magic.
The case for Brunson: He elevates his play when his team needs it most. He’s tallied at least 30 points in four consecutive games, including four Cup games in a row. The latest burst came in a 40-point performance against Orlando.
In his two most recent Cup games, he jumped out to a fast start—25 points in the first half versus the Magic and 20 in the opening quarter against Toronto. He then anchored the Knicks’ knockout-round clinching win with 37 against Milwaukee. Brunson’s blend of savvy decision-making, late-game poise, and contagious confidence has become a catalyst for New York.Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Last ranking: No. 5
Towns delivered the Dunk of the Night in the Cup semifinal against Orlando, underscoring his all-around impact. His offense is his defining strength—one of the league’s best shooting big men—yet this tournament has highlighted his defensive contributions as well. In the semifinals, he anchored the Knicks with a strong two-way performance, translating to 29 points and reinforced defense.
In the quarterfinals, Towns racked up 16 rebounds and two blocks against Toronto, and he posted 19 points with 10 rebounds in Group Play versus Charlotte. If he sustains this balanced impact on Tuesday, New York’s chances to win the Cup—and his MVP case—could rise significantly.De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
Last ranking: No. 6
Fox has been playing with high energy in the Cup, delivering a season-high 37 points against Portland in the Group Phase. His momentum continued with 12 assists in a crucial three-point win over Denver, followed by 20 points against the Lakers in the quarterfinals and 22 against Oklahoma City.
He’s been a stabilizing force for San Antonio during Victor Wembanyama’s absence, helping sustain the team’s Cup run. With his contributions, the Spurs stand one win away from Tuesday’s decisive game.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last ranking: No. 1
Shai finished with 28 points in an NBA Cup win over Phoenix but missed the 30-point threshold in the semifinal against San Antonio, a rare blemish in an otherwise stellar Cup run. He closed back-to-back Cup outings against Phoenix with a staggering 65 points across those games. The shift to playing the fourth quarter in tight matchups—exemplified in the Spurs semifinal—highlighted his willingness to gut out finales. Even with the Thunder playing at home, Shai left a lasting MVP-like impression in the Cup.Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last ranking: Unranked
Returning from a 12-game absence, Wembanyama put up 22 points in 21 minutes in his comeback. Even with limited Cup action, his impact has been meaningful: San Antonio won two of the three Cup games he played, including a 22-point, nine-rebound performance in his return to action in the semifinal against Oklahoma City. His presence has been a pivotal driver for the Spurs’ Cup run, and his contributions remain central to their Final push.
The next five (Rankings 6–10):
6. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
7. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic
8. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
9. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
10. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
Also in the mix (alphabetical): Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Brandon Ingram (Toronto Raptors), Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers).
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can reach him at spowell@nba.com, view his archive at http://www.nba.com/writer/archive/shaun-powell, and follow him on X at https://x.com/Powell2daPeople.
