This week sets the foundation for a new top five of Kia. Race to the MVP Ladder, following Joel Embiid’s left meniscus surgery on Tuesday, which will keep him out of action for at least four weeks.
The latest scenario basically eliminates the incumbent MVP’s chances of repeating, as he will fall short of the NBA’s 65-game minimum for playoff accolades. Embiid, 29, drops out of the race after 34 games.
That is unfortunate. Especially considering the seven-time All-Star would be leading the NBA in scoring at 35.3 points per game, and he’s on track to become only the second player in league history, trailing Wilt Chamberlain (1961-62), to average at least one point per minute played.
In 1,157 minutes, Embiid has scored 1,201 points. However, the Sixers, who are in fifth place, are 1-5 in the last six games without their center.
New to the top five: Embiid’s injury allows for a new entry into the top five.
So, please welcome Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who has led his team to three consecutive wins for the first time since early January.
One statistic to know: Doncic needs eight rebounds to pass Erick Dampier for sixth on Dallas’ all-time rebounding list (3,211). He hit that mark on Thursday with eight rebounds in a 122-108 victory over a depleted New York Knicks squad.
This season, the 24-year-old is quite likely to pass Michael Finley for fifth place on the Mavs’ all-time rebounds list (3,245 total).
What they’re saying: “I speak with him every day. I genuinely feel awful for him. He is having a tremendous season. Everything he did, from practicing and preparing, was done at a very high level. “I feel sorry for him.” — Philadelphia’s Nick Nurse on Embiid’s injury.
Keep track of how our MVP rankings change during the season.
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 26.3 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 9 apg
His case: Jokic had 24 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists against the Lakers on the road, helping the Nuggets win their eighth game in ten. Despite blowing a 15-point lead in the second half, Denver finished with a 10-2 run in the final 2:18 to win.
Jokic has 32 games this season with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. He played 32 such games in all last season.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.6 apg
His case: He scored 28 points and combined with Jalen Williams (26 points) and Chet Holmgren (22 points) to account for 76 of his team’s 117 points in a loss to Utah, snapping a three-game winning streak.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the eighth player in NBA history to record 30 games with 30 or more points in the first 41 games of the season. On Saturday, he’ll lead Oklahoma City into an exciting road game against Doncic in Dallas (3 p.m. ET, NBA TV).
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 6.4 apg
His case: Antetokounmpo was limited to fewer than 20 points for just the fifth time this season Thursday as the shorthanded Bucks suffered their worst home loss of the season to Minnesota.
Milwaukee rested Antetokounmpo for the final 16 minutes with the game out of hand, which means he’ll be refreshed for Friday’s home matchup against Charlotte. Before the loss to Minnesota, the two-time MVP had scored 33-plus points in his three previous outings.
- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Season stats: 34.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 9.5 apg
His case: Lit up the ailing New York Knicks for 39 points on Thursday to lead Dallas to its first three-game winning streak since early January. The performance marked Doncic’s 34th 30-point game of the season, which ranks No. 2 behind Gilgeous-Alexander, not to mention his 29th double-double.
The Mavs tip off a four-game homestand on Saturday against Oklahoma City and sit just a game behind Sacramento for the No. 7 seed in the West.
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 26.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.5 apg
His case is: The Celtics, led by Tatum, are 4-2 at home on this seven-game homestand, which concludes Friday against Washington. In each of his last two games, the 25-year-old has come close to scoring a triple-double.
Tatum has 33 games with six or more made 3-pointers, ranking second in NBA history for a forward or center behind Paul George (52 games).
