That is simply probably the most open NBA MVP race of the last decade to date, as our high gamers ought to proceed to battle down this last dash to the playoffs. This week, a brand new challenger enters the highest 5, rising as a major menace to the gamers who’ve been firmly entrenched within the lead positions. Let’s get to the rankings.
(All stats by March 1. Earlier rankings might be seen right here.)
1. Nikola Jokić
The Joker could have had his weakest grasp on the highest spot heading into the All-Star break, because the Denver Nuggets had misplaced three in a row and regarded like they may slip down a bit within the standings. Because the break, each the Nuggets and Jokić have been on a tear. Denver has received 5 in a row, and the Joker had triple doubles in every of the primary 4 wins.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA’s scoring outputs in his final 5 video games: 31, 30, 36, 31 and 31. He’s like a 30-point metronome, main the NBA in such scoring nights with 44 of them on the season.
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3. Luka Dončić
The Dallas Mavericks have cooled barely within the wake of the commerce deadline, dropping three of their final 4. Dončić has not cooled off in any respect in that point, scoring 33, 45, 30 and 37 factors in these video games. He has 41 assists in his final three outings, and triple doubles in every of his final two.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
After a 3–7 stretch heading into the break, the Milwaukee Bucks have received 5 in a row. Antetokounmpo dropped 46 on the Chicago Bulls on Friday. And Doc Rivers has made a major influence on the defensive aspect of the ball, with the Bucks now creeping as much as fifteenth in defensive effectivity. If Antetokounmpo is dominating on each ends of the ground transferring ahead, he’ll transfer up within the rankings accordingly.
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5. Jayson Tatum
Tatum is getting a shameless push from the Democratic Individuals’s Republic of Boston’s propaganda machine to win this award, and whereas I’m not able to go that far, he undoubtedly has a robust case to be on the poll. Boston is so significantly better than the remainder of the NBA, it feels foolish to not have the very best participant from the group within the high 5. Hurting Tatum’s case is how nicely the group performs with him off the ground, and the way good his castmates are. He regarded nice within the Celtics’ dominant win over the Mavs on Friday, scoring 32 factors on solely 19 pictures.
Honorable mentions : Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell.
