The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 playoffs as 150-1 long shots to win the NBA Finals after a dismal end to the regular season, as well as key injuries to leading scorers Luka Doncic (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique). However, LeBron James and company willed the Lakers to two victories to open their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, vaulting them to 35-1 for the title. The Rockets fell to 300-1 after entering the postseason around 60-1.
Los Angeles was 12-1 to win the 2026 Finals at its peak and is one of the largest liabilities across the sportsbook marketplace, with BetMGM, Caesars and DraftKings all reporting significant action backing the 17-time champions. The Lakers could see their odds shorten further if Doncic or Reaves are able to return, with the latter reportedly a possibility by the end of the first round.
At the top of the odds board, the Oklahoma City Thunder achieved odds-on status after their Game 1 thrashing of the Phoenix Suns and are -120 for the title. Just behind them, the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs both lengthened from +550 to +650 following Game 2 losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, respectively. San Antonio had entered the playoffs at +500 and as a serious sportsbook liability, so bettors will be monitoring the concussion suffered by superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Elsewhere, the Denver Nuggets saw their title odds lengthen to 11-1 from +900 pre-playoffs after dropping Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were 100-1 entering the fray, 150-1 after losing Game 1, and are 90-1 approaching Game 3. The Cleveland Cavaliers (14-1) have improved slightly since the beginning of the postseason, while the New York Knicks (22-1) and Detroit Pistons (28-1) lengthened after disappointing starts.
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are as of publication.
2025-26 NBA championship odds
Finals MVP odds leaderboard entering Round 1
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder +115
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs +550
Jayson Tatum, Celtics 11-1
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets +850
Jaylen Brown, Celtics 13-1
Cade Cunningham, Pistons 22-1
Jalen Brunson, Knicks 25-1
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers 30-1
Jalen Williams, Thunder 40-1
Chet Holmgren, Thunder 40-1
James Harden, Cavaliers 50-1
Jamal Murray, Nuggets 60-1
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks 100-1
Jalen Duren, Pistons 100-1
Derrick White, Celtics 100-1
De’Aaron Fox, Spurs 100-1
Stephon Castle, Spurs 100-1
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers 140-1
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves 180-1
Luka Doncic, Lakers 150-1
Payton Pritchard, Celtics 150-1
Kevin Durant, Rockets 180-1
Jalen Johnson, Hawks 200-1
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers 180-1
Joel Embiid, 76ers 200-1
Alperen Sengun, Rockets 200-1
LeBron James, Lakers 250-1
Julius Randle, Timberwolves 600-1
Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers 300-1
Aaron Gordon, Nuggets 300-1
Leave a Reply