Latest 2026 NBA Finals MVP Odds: Jalen Brunson Overtakes Victor Wembanyama As Favorite Following Knicks Game 1 Win

When the NBA Finals MVP odds opened once the two teams were set, Victor Wembanyama was named the favorite, and Jalen Brunson had the second-best odds. It wasn’t shocking since the Spurs were favored to win the series, and the NBA Finals MVP tends to come from the winning team. But, oh what a difference a game can make.

With a 105-95 win over the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, led by an incredible game by Jalen Brunson, the Knicks superstar has become the new betting favorite to win NBA Finals MVP.

(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Let’s take a look at those odds.

If you're seeking out more sports and NBA betting promotions, Ballislife Bets has gathered a list of the best sports betting offers here.

NBA Finals MVP Odds: Jalen Brunson Favored Following Game 1

Here are the odds to win NBA Finals MVP in the wake of the Knicks’ upset win over the Spurs in Game 1 (odds via DraftKings):

• Jalen Brunson -105
• Victor Wembanyama +125
• Karl-Anthony Towns: +1100
• OG Anunoby: +7000
• Stephon Castle: +9000
• Dylan Harper +15000
• Josh Hart +15000
• De'Aaron Fox: +20000
• Mikal Bridges: +25000
• Julian Champagnie: +40000
• Devin Vassell: +60000
• Landry Shamet +100000
• Miles McBride +100000

So, what happened? Why the switch at the top of the betting board? Well, for one, since the MVP typically comes from the winning team and the Knicks are now favored to win (-140 to +120 for the Spurs at DraftKings), someone from the Knicks was bound to become the favorite.

But why Brunson? Well, because the man led the way for the Knicks with 30 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter. Five of which came during the 11-0 run New York made to end the game and secure the win. He also played a solid defensive game, earning a 94.9 rating.

A Conference Finals MVP has won the NBA Finals award the last four years, which makes Brunson the top dog (at the moment). But while one game can help someone win the NBA Finals MVP, you can’t win it after one game.

So, does that mean it’s time to bet on Brunson to win, or should you take a flyer on someone else?

Best Brand

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed - When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

Newcomer

Caesars Promo

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

-

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

NBA Finals MVP Odds: My Pick(s)

Odds via DraftKings

Favorite: Jalen Brunson (-105)

For now, my favorite has to be Brunson after his performance in Game 1. Great players step up and perform when their team needs them the most, and he did just that. Of course, to remain the favorite, he has to keep playing accordingly. He led the Knicks in scoring and assists during the regular season and averaged 26.5 points and 7.5 assists against the Spurs in two regular-season games. So, there is no reason to think that he can’t.

Dark Horse Pick (more like a co-favorite): Victor Wembanyama (+120)

If I am going to bet on anyone to win NBA Finals MVP right now, it would be Wembanyama. Why? Because the man now has plus money odds. So, instead of needing to wager $185 on his opening odds to win $100, I can win $120 from a $100 bet. But that’s not all.

I still feel like the Spurs can and will win this series.

Wembanyama had a “bad” game by his own admission and still recorded 26 points and 12 rebounds. Most players would love to have numbers like that on their best days. But he can be better. He went 6-for-21 from the field for a dismal 28.6% field goal percentage. We know he can and likely will bounce back from that. When Wembanyama does, the team should bounce back as well. The Spurs will win, the series will be tied at 1-1, and his NBA Finals MVP odds will likely shift back to minus money odds.

Long shot: OG Anunoby (+7000)/ Julian Champagnie (+40000)

For the Knicks, I am going with OG Anunoby over Karl-Anthony Towns, because I don’t consider KAT a true long shot at +1100. If KAT continues to have the defensive presence and production he had in Game 1, he’ll be in the conversation. Anunoby is a solid defender, but I’m not sure he will make enough of an impact on the scoreboard to catch voters' attention. But at +7000, he is a solid longshot who may have a chance if he can pick up his game.

As for Champagnie, I considered De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. But I don’t know if they are flashy enough to get attention from voters—especially in Wemby’s shadow. Champagnie, however, isn’t under Wembanyama's massive shadow as much when he’s shooting daggers from the perimeter as he did in Game 1 (5-for-10 from 3-point range). Now, he’ll need production like that or better in every game to have a real shot at winning.  Against New York’s defense, that is not going to be easy.