The sound you hear rumbling in the distance? That’s the MotorCade—Cade Cunningham has officially grabbed a lane in the MVP Race, and it’s time we pay attention.
Cunningham has quietly been putting together a phenomenal season, but since the calendar flipped to 2025, his performances have been impossible to ignore. The Detroit Pistons are 7-2 this month, including an impressive road win against the New York Knicks, and Cunningham has been at the heart of it all.
The former No. 1 overall pick is finally healthy and showing the all-around skills that made him such a coveted prospect. In January, Cunningham is averaging an incredible 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. His dominance is even more impressive considering the Pistons lost Jaden Ivey for the season due to a broken left leg.
Cunningham isn’t just scoring—he’s leading. As he said recently, “With great power comes great responsibility. You’ve got to make sure you’re doing what’s best for the team.” That mindset has elevated the Pistons from a struggling franchise to a competitive team with playoff aspirations.
The Current MVP Race Ladder
While Cunningham has made his case, the competition at the top remains fierce. Here’s how the MVP race looks right now:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
The league’s leading scorer is averaging 31.6 points and 6 assists while guiding the Thunder to one of the NBA’s best records. - Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Jokić is flirting with another triple-double season, averaging 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.9 assists, all while helping the Nuggets surge in the West. - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak continues to dominate, posting 31.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while leading fan votes for the All-Star Game. - Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Towns has been a double-double machine, averaging 25.4 points and 13.9 rebounds for the Knicks, despite battling minor injuries. - Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
The rookie phenom is making his mark with 24.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game, though the Spurs are struggling in the standings.
The Next Five
6. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
9. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Looking Ahead
Cunningham’s rise to No. 9 on the MVP Ladder is well-deserved, but staying there—or climbing higher—will require consistency. The Pistons’ newfound success shines a light on their star player, and if Cade can keep this up, Detroit may not just make the playoffs—they could be a team no one wants to face.
Who’s your MVP so far? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to follow BallersCulture for more MVP Race updates!
