Jokic, Antetokounmpo, and Gilgeous-Alexander: A Historic Start to the NBA Season
The 2025-26 NBA season is witnessing exceptional performance from several superstars, with Nikola Jokic leading the way. The Denver Nuggets’ center, with three MVP awards and two runner-up finishes in the last five campaigns, is showing the best statistical start of his acclaimed career.
In his first 17 games, Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists, leading the league in the last two categories. In addition, he records a 70% effectiveness in 2-point shots and a 43% in three-pointers, accumulating double-doubles in more than half of his games. All this while keeping the Nuggets (13-4) in a prominent position in the competitive Western Conference.
But the domain isn’t limited to Jokic. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, both MVP winners, are also surpassing historical marks.
Of the 96 players in NBA history who have averaged at least 30 points per game in a season, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Antetokounmpo are currently ranked first, second, and fourth, respectively, in effective field goal percentage. Only Stephen Curry’s 2015-16 season with the Golden State Warriors, which earned him the only unanimous MVP in league history, interrupts the dominance of this trio in the top spots.
Detailed Analysis of the Stars
To contextualize Jokic’s start, the “game score” is used, a statistic that summarizes a player’s production in a single number. Jokic averages 31.8 in “game score” this season, the highest figure recorded in the first 17 games of any player. He surpasses his own record from last season, when he recorded 30.5.
Jokic’s efficiency is key to this performance, with an astonishing 70% on 2-point shots. His averages of 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game demonstrate his consistent impact. For reference, only two other players in Nuggets history have achieved games with at least 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Although Jokic has never led the league in a major statistic for a full season, he currently tops the rebounding and assists charts, giving him the opportunity to achieve another milestone. No player has led the NBA in rebounds and assists in different seasons, and even less at the same time, something Jokic could achieve this season.
The Rise of Gilgeous-Alexander, Antetokounmpo, and Doncic
While Jokic is setting records, other superstars are not far behind. Gilgeous-Alexander, who won the MVP in the previous season, has an average “game score” of 28.1, the fifth-highest mark in history after 18 games. Antetokounmpo had a “game score” of 29.3 in 12 games before suffering an injury, and Luka Doncic registers 28.1 in 12 games.
Among the MVP contenders, Gilgeous-Alexander stands out for his volume of play. The current MVP averages 32.2 points per game, with record efficiency and a low turnover rate. Despite playing little in the last quarter, he leads the league in points in the first two quarters.
Antetokounmpo, despite his recent injury, averages 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, which would be his third consecutive season with at least 30/10/6. His playmaking continues to improve and his efficiency is the best of his career.
Doncic leads the league in scoring with 34.5 points per game. Despite a low three-point percentage, he is recording his best 2-point field goal percentage and leading the league in free throws made and attempted.
Implications in the MVP Race
The performance of these stars is likely to adjust as the season progresses. However, the possibility of a close MVP race between these players is high.
Competition could be extraordinary, with Jokic seeking his fourth MVP award, Gilgeous-Alexander leading a team with a winning record, Antetokounmpo surpassing his stats from previous seasons, and Doncic aiming for a triple-double of nearly 35 points per game.
The current era favors these high averages, with an increase in the pace and efficiency of the game. The 2025-26 season could be the highest-scoring since the 1960s. Despite this, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Antetokounmpo, and Doncic stand out above the rest of the league, with young prospects like Victor Wembanyama and established stars like Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell.
