In mid-February, ESPN`s second NBA MVP straw poll indicated Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

Six weeks later, the situation remains almost the same.

If the final straw poll results are consistent with the past five seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to win his first MVP award. In this poll, reflecting the league`s official voting, Gilgeous-Alexander received 77 first-place votes out of 100.

He was second on the other 23 ballots, totaling 931 points, while Jokic had 769. Both stars dominated the top two spots, a clean sweep not seen in the previous 19 straw polls since the 2016-17 season.

This dominance reflects their on-court performances.

Gilgeous-Alexander is on track to win his first scoring title with 32.9 points per game, leading the Thunder, who have a 63-12 record. OKC needs to win all remaining games to join the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls and 2015-16 Golden State Warriors as the only teams to win 70+ regular-season games.

Jokic aims to become the third player to win four MVPs in five years, following LeBron James (2008-12) and Bill Russell (1961-65).

Despite Gilgeous-Alexander`s lead, Jokic is making a strong MVP case.

Behind career highs in points (29.7), assists (10.2), and 3-point percentage (41.6), plus 12.8 rebounds, Jokic has lifted an injury-hit Nuggets roster to the West`s No. 3 seed. Jokic is likely to finish in the top two for MVP voting for a fifth straight season, a feat last achieved by Larry Bird (1981-1986).

Two ESPN scouts said they would vote for Jokic, but without strong conviction, mirroring the straw poll voters.

`I’d go Jokic,` one scout said, citing his ability to keep the team competitive despite injuries. `The Thunder are great everywhere. There’s a reason they are going to win 70 games.`

`[Jokic] is putting up a statistical anomaly in NBA history. It’s Wilt Chamberlain-esque.`

`Jokic,` another scout said, acknowledging OKC`s strong play and Gilgeous-Alexander`s excellence but emphasizing Jokic`s continued improvement.

Media members also expressed uncertainty, with some considering changing their vote, especially after Jokic`s 60-point triple-double in a recent game.

Similar separation for third and fourth

The top of the MVP ballot has been consistent this season. Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic have held the top two spots in all three polls, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum have consistently been third and fourth.

While Antetokounmpo`s midseason status was uncertain due to a calf injury, he has now played enough games to qualify for awards consideration.

Antetokounmpo, averaging 30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, is the only player to receive votes in all 19 straw polls over nine seasons and has been in the top five for 13 consecutive polls, mostly in third place.

Tatum has also consistently been in the second tier of voting but has never been higher than fourth, mirroring his official awards vote finishes.

Mitchell solidifies his hold on fifth

Donovan Mitchell was fifth in the second straw poll, slightly ahead of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.

With Brunson`s recent absence due to injury, Mitchell gained most of his votes and is likely to secure his first top-five MVP finish.

Brunson dropped, receiving only two fifth-place votes, while Towns also declined as the Knicks struggled recently.

Mitchell and the Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference, supported by Evan Mobley, who also received fifth-place votes.

Respect for Cunningham and the Pistons …

Cade Cunningham`s max rookie extension last summer raised eyebrows.

Despite no All-Star appearances and team struggles, Cunningham became an All-Star and is likely to make his first All-NBA team, receiving MVP consideration and finishing seventh in voting.

Cunningham, averaging 25.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.2 assists, has driven the Pistons` improved season, tripling last year`s wins and potentially hosting a playoff series.

Executives are excited about Cunningham`s and the Pistons` future, eager to see their performance in a playoff series.

Cunningham may contend for MVP, All-NBA, and Most Improved Player, while Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff is a Coach of the Year contender.

… And the game`s oldest player

LeBron James, at 40, received MVP votes, finishing sixth with a third-place, two fourth-place, and ten fifth-place votes.

This is James`s first time receiving double-digit votes in four years, a credit to his play and the Lakers` improved standings after acquiring Luka Doncic, aiming for home-court advantage for the first time since 2013.