NBA · 20 hours ago

Ranking the Top 10 NBA Stars in the 2026 Playoffs Right Now

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Who is Your 2026 Finals MVP?
The bracket is almost set, the stars are healthy (mostly), and the road to the Larry O'Brien Trophy runs through some of the most talented rosters we've seen in a decade. From the Thunder's youth movement in the West to the Pistons' resurgence in the East, league parity is in play in a big way.

With Luka Doncic sidelined for now and Nikola Jokic looking to defend his throne, the door is wide open for a new hero to emerge.

Join the Conversation
- Who is your lock for the Finals? Are you riding with the 64-win Thunder, or do the veteran Celtics have one more run in them?
- Which dark horse scares you? Can Tyrese Maxey or Jalen Johnson pull off the ultimate first-round upset?
- The MVP Race: If the season ended today, is the Joker still your No. 1, or has SGA done enough to take the crown?
- Who did we miss?: Does Kevin Durant deserve a spot on the list? What if Steph Curry wills the Warriors to the 8-seed?
Drop your brackets, predictions and thoughts in the comments!
Ranking the Top 10 Players in the 2026 NBA Playoffs
The 2026 NBA Playoffs are almost here as the Play-In wraps up, and the landscape of the league has shifted significantly over the last twelve months. While the stars are shining, the injury bug is still a major factor in the postseason narrative. Most notably, Luka Doncic is currently still a week away from returning from injury, leaving a massive void in the bracket and shifting the pressure onto the healthy elites to carry the mantle of "Best in the World."
10. Jalen Brunson
G, New York Knicks

The King of New York remains the steady hand for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson’s 26.0 PPG and 6.8 APG led New York to the third seed in a competitive Eastern Conference. Known for his playoff heroics and gritty work ethic, Brunson kicks off the 2026 postseason against the Atlanta Hawks. In a series defined by star power, Brunson’s elite footwork and clutch shot-making give the Knicks a definitive edge.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 12%
9. Jalen Johnson
F, Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson has emerged as one of the most versatile forwards in the NBA, putting up an impressive 22.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 7.9 APG. His ability to grab a rebound and ignite the break has made the Hawks a nightmare to scout. Atlanta faces the New York Knicks in the first round, and Johnson’s matchup against the Knicks' physical frontline will be the focal point of the series.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 1%
8. Jayson Tatum
F, Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum’s season has been a profile in resilience. After coming back early from a season-ending injury suffered in the 2025 playoffs, he continues to look more and more like his former NBA Finals MVP self every day with 16 games now under his belt. He finished the regular season averaging 21.8 PPG and 10.0 RPG, finding his rhythm just in time for a high-stakes first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 22% (Favorite)
7. Anthony Edwards
G, Minnesota Timberwolves

"Ant-Man" remains one of the most feared competitors in the league, though he’s been playing through a nagging knee injury that required maintenance at the end of the regular season; otherwise, he might be even higher on our list. Despite the ailment, Anthony Edwards averaged 28.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG. He faces a monumental task in the first round against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, a matchup that will require every bit of his explosive scoring and top-shelf defense.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 4%
6. Tyrese Maxey
G, Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey carried the Sixers through the Play-In with a 31-point masterpiece to secure the No. 7 seed. On the season, he’s been a scoring machine, putting up 28.3 PPG and 6.6 APG. Now, he draws the Boston Celtics in the first round. Maxey’s speed and improved playmaking have transformed him from a secondary star into a legitimate franchise cornerstone who can trade buckets with anyone in the East. Even while wearing a splint on his finger for this series, Maxey is about as dangerous a guard as the NBA has right now.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: OTB
5. Jaylen Brown
G, Boston Celtics

With various injuries hitting the Celtics' roster this year, Jaylen Brown stepped up to post career-high scoring numbers. His 28.7 PPG ranked fourth in the league, and his efficiency remained elite at 47.7 FG%. The Celtics face a tough first-round test against the Philadelphia 76ers, a rematch of many classic battles. Brown’s aggressive downhill scoring and elite baseball IQ will be X-factors if Boston hopes to return to the Finals.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 18%
4. Cade Cunningham
G, Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are the No. 1 seed in the East, and Cade Cunningham is the primary reason for this historic turnaround. Averaging 23.9 PPG and a staggering 9.9 APG (second in the NBA), Cade has evolved into the ultimate floor general. He heads into the first round against the Magic/Hornets winner, looking to prove that Detroit's 60-win season was no fluke. His poise, size, and toughness at the guard position are reminiscent of the all-time greats, and perfect for a gritty city like Motown.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 18%
3. Victor Wembanyama
F, San Antonio Spurs

In just his third season, "Alien" might be an understatement. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs to a 62-20 record while averaging a monstrous 25.0 PPG and 11.5 RPG. San Antonio enters their first-round matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers as heavy favorites, largely because Wembanyama has become a defensive system unto himself. The French bigman led the league with 3.1 BPG, which was more than a block per game more than his nearest competitor, Chet Homgren (1.9 BPG). His growth as a playmaker (3.1 APG) has made the Spurs' offense just as terrifying as their defense.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 24%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have officially arrived as the top seed in the West, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine making it all go. SGA finished the regular season with an incredible 31.1 PPG on a hyper-efficient 55.3 FG%, proving he is the most unstoppable mid-range force in the game today. As the Thunder prepare to face the winner of the Suns/Warriors Play-In, the Canadian's innate ability to manipulate defenses and get to his spots makes him the clear-cut heir to the throne. Don't forget, Shai plays stellar D to add a cherry on top of the Thunder pie.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 56%
1. Nikola Jokic
C, Denver Nuggets

He may not win MVP every year, but his numbers argue that he certainly is deserving. We keep saying Nikola Jokic is having a career year, and how can you argue against it? The 2023 NBA Final MVP led the league in rebounding (12.9 RPG) and assists (10.7 APG), a feat in itself that is MVP-worthy. Add in a 27.7 PPG clip, and the Joker is still the best weapon in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves are about to find out, once again, how dangerous the Serbian center can be.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 12%
Who is Your 2026 Finals MVP?
The bracket is almost set, the stars are healthy (mostly), and the road to the Larry O'Brien Trophy runs through some of the most talented rosters we've seen in a decade. From the Thunder's youth movement in the West to the Pistons' resurgence in the East, league parity is in play in a big way.

With Luka Doncic sidelined for now and Nikola Jokic looking to defend his throne, the door is wide open for a new hero to emerge.

Join the Conversation
- Who is your lock for the Finals? Are you riding with the 64-win Thunder, or do the veteran Celtics have one more run in them?
- Which dark horse scares you? Can Tyrese Maxey or Jalen Johnson pull off the ultimate first-round upset?
- The MVP Race: If the season ended today, is the Joker still your No. 1, or has SGA done enough to take the crown?
- Who did we miss?: Does Kevin Durant deserve a spot on the list? What if Steph Curry wills the Warriors to the 8-seed?
Drop your brackets, predictions and thoughts in the comments!
Ranking the Top 10 Players in the 2026 NBA Playoffs
The 2026 NBA Playoffs are almost here as the Play-In wraps up, and the landscape of the league has shifted significantly over the last twelve months. While the stars are shining, the injury bug is still a major factor in the postseason narrative. Most notably, Luka Doncic is currently still a week away from returning from injury, leaving a massive void in the bracket and shifting the pressure onto the healthy elites to carry the mantle of "Best in the World."