Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown have led their teams to unexpected heights this season, and that is exactly why both have built legitimate MVP cases.

Coming into the year, few expected their respective teams to be performing at this level. There were questions about consistency, roster balance, and whether they could carry the nightly responsibility that comes with being a franchise centerpiece. Instead of fading under that pressure, both players have elevated their games and, in the process, elevated their teams.

That is the foundation of any true MVP conversation. It is not just about numbers, but it is about impact and shifting expectations.

Cunningham has taken a clear leap as a primary engine. His scoring has become more efficient, his playmaking more controlled, and his command of the offense more mature. He dictates tempo, reads defenses with patience, and consistently makes the right play late in games. The biggest difference this season has been his poise. He looks fully comfortable being the focal point of scouting reports and still finding ways to produce. Cunningham is currently leading the East-best Pistons and his play has been the biggest reason for that success.

Beyond the box score, his leadership has stood out. Young teams often struggle with late-game execution and defensive discipline, but Cunningham has stabilized those moments. When the game tightens, the ball is in his hands and the decision-making is sharp. That reliability is one of the strongest indicators of value.

Brown’s case carries a different tone but an equally compelling argument. Long viewed as part of a star duo, he has stepped into stretches this season where he has been the driving force behind his team’s success. His two-way dominance in this season without Jayson Tatum has separated him. On offense, he attacks downhill with force, spaces the floor, and has improved as a playmaker. On defense, he accepts the toughest assignments and sets the tone with physicality.

What strengthens Brown’s candidacy is the consistency. Night after night, he brings scoring punch and defensive intensity without significant drop-off. In games where momentum shifts, he has been the stabilizer. In marquee matchups, he has delivered. He has become Boston’s true no.1 option with Tatum sidelined and he has exceeded expectations on his play

Both players have also benefited from team success. MVP discussions almost always favor stars whose teams are outperforming preseason expectations. Nobody projected these squads to sit this high in the standings or compete at this level. That shift changes the narrative around their best players. When a team surprises the league, voters look for the central reason behind it.

Cunningham and Brown have been those reasons. Their statistical profiles support the argument. High scoring averages, efficient shooting splits, playmaking numbers that reflect control of the offense, and defensive contributions that impact winning possessions. But what separates them from empty production is translation to wins.

Value is most visible when it alters outcomes. Cunningham’s ability to orchestrate and close games has directly resulted in statement victories. Brown’s two-way presence has swung high-level matchups and anchored defensive stretches that decide contests. When either player is off the floor, the difference is noticeable. When they return, structure and confidence follow.

Another layer to their candidacies is growth. MVP races often reward players who make a visible leap. Cunningham has moved from promising young guard to legitimate franchise leader. Brown has evolved from elite secondary star to a player capable of carrying extended stretches as the primary force. That narrative momentum matters in voting conversations.

The MVP race is always crowded.  Established superstars will remain in the discussion, but with the 65 game rule in place, this has changed things and have allowed Cunningham and Brown to enter the conversation. Statistical leaders like SGA, Jokic, and Doncic will dominate headlines. But context cannot be ignored when a player lifts his team beyond expectations and sustains that level over the course of a season. That’s how Cunningham and Brown earned their place in the debate.

They are not just putting up numbers, but instead they are driving winning basketball at a level few predicted. That combination is what firmly places them in the MVP race and keeps their candidacies growing stronger as the season unfolds.