In a poll, journalists, scouts, and insiders who actively follow the NBA league voted, with Jokić decisively triumphing over competitors Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama. Jokić received 35 out of 53 votes, or 66 percent. In second place was Gilgeous-Alexander with 10 votes, or 18.9 percent, and in third place was Wembanyama with eight votes, or 15.1 percent. Interestingly, Luka Dončić did not receive a single vote, nor did Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jokić had played in 64 games up until the final matchup, so he had to play nearly injured in a result-wise insignificant game because the rules state that a player needs to log 65 appearances to be eligible for the season's best player award. Nevertheless, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the top favorite for the title.