Jalen Brunson Leads Eastern Conference Finals MVP Odds After Dominant First Round

The Eastern Conference delivered chaos in the 2026 NBA Playoffs’ first round, marked by three seven-game series and the stunning upset loss of the Boston Celtics, the No. 2 seed. This unpredictability reshaped FanDuel’s market for the 2025-26 NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP award.

Superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, once favorites for the media-voted Larry Bird Award, were eliminated in the first round, leaving the race wide open. Three players now lead the pack for the award, with New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (+160) atop the odds after averaging over 26 points per game in the first round against Atlanta.

Brunson’s consistency and high usage have solidified his position as the Knicks’ new favorite in the East. His strong postseason resume continues to grow, giving him significant traction in the MVP race.

Cade Cunningham and Donovan Mitchell Close Behind

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (+200) trails Brunson after a dominant first-round performance against Orlando. Despite trailing 3-1 in the series, Cunningham averaged 36.3 points per game in the final three games, helping the Pistons regain confidence and positioning himself as the second favorite in the East.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (+600) ranks third in the market. While Cleveland advanced past Toronto, the Raptors limited Mitchell to 23.1 points per game and 43% shooting after he averaged 27.9 points on 48% shooting in the regular season. Cunningham and Mitchell will face off in the second round, with the winner likely gaining a significant boost in MVP odds.

Secondary Contenders Face Uphill Battles

The secondary list of contenders includes several All-Stars, though their paths to the Eastern Conference Finals—and MVP consideration—are more challenging. Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns (+1200) improved defensively in the series against Atlanta but ranked third in scoring behind Brunson and guard OG Anunoby, weakening his case for series MVP.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (+1700) must stay healthy and eliminate the Knicks in the second round to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. A healthy Embiid remains a force, averaging 29 points per game in four games against Boston earlier in the playoffs.

Similarly, 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (+3000) needs to advance past New York in the second round to be considered for ECF MVP. Maxey’s strong play against Boston—averaging just under 27 points per game—suggests he is capable of explosive scoring in high-pressure moments.

Other Notable Names in the MVP Race

• Knicks forward OG Anunoby (+3300) remains a two-way threat with potential to impact the series.
• Cavaliers veteran guard James Harden (+3500) could regain MVP momentum if Cleveland advances deep into the playoffs.
• Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (+5500) is a defensive anchor with upside in the MVP conversation.