Kia NBA MVP Race: Latest MVP ladder and power rankings feat. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and more | Jan. 27, 2022-23 NBA Season

The NBA MVP 2023 award has a range of contenders from both conferences. The last week has proved significant for some, while others have lost out due to injuries. Kevin Durant continues to be a miss and is not being featured in the MVP rankings for the 2nd week running.

Stephen Curry got his side a last-ditch win against the Memphis Grizzlies while Jayson Tatum continued in the same vein. Luka Doncic has been phenomenal in recent games but was injured in his team’s latest win against the Phoenix Suns. Here, we look at the five players with the best chances of winning the 2023 NBA MVP award.

2023 NBA MVP Power Rankings

#5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Previous week's MVP ranking: N/A

Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 2, Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 37, Games won - 27, Games lost - 10

Overall: PPG – 32, RPG – 12, APG – 5.3, SPG - .8, BPG – .9

It is that time of the NBA season where teams can choose to rest players and not risk missing their best players due to injury as well. Giannis Antetokounmpo played twice for his team in the last week and recorded 62 points, 26 rebounds and eight assists. This included two double-doubles and a 33-point display against Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets, where Giannis shot at an efficiency of exactly 60%.

#4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Previous week's MVP ranking: 4 (-)

Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 1, Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 33, Games won - 16, Games lost - 17

Overall: PPG – 29.3, RPG – 6.2, APG – 6.2, SPG – 1.6, BPG – 0.2

For the Golden State Warriors to make it to the playoffs, they need to churn out regular wins. That has been down to Stephen Curry in most games. Curry delivered 26 points against the Brooklyn Nets but had an overall efficiency of just 43.8% despite getting 4 of his 8 3-pointers on target.

Against the Memphis Grizzlies (who are apparently the Golden State Warriors’ rivals), Curry got the win with a last-ditch basket and finished with 34 points, three assists and two rebounds. That sees him maintain his fourth position from last week’s rankings.

#3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Previous week's MVP ranking: 3 (-)

Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 1, Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 33, Games won - 16, Games lost - 17

Overall: PPG – 29.3, RPG – 6.2, APG – 6.2, SPG – 1.6, BPG – 0.2

Luka Doncic knows his team needs a few improvements in order to truly challenge for the NBA title. Spencer Dinwiddie came up with the goods as Doncic had to leave the game due to an injury. The Mavericks need other players to step up regularly and it was only due to a poor shooting night on either side that they won against the Suns.

Doncic will remain a clear favorite for the NBA MVP award. However, a lot of how the team does depends on the front office and the various moves that happen before the NBA trade deadline.

#2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Previous week's MVP ranking: 1 (-1)

Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 0, Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 47, Games won - 34, Games lost - 13

Overall: PPG – 31.1, RPG – 8.7, APG – 4.4, SPG – 1.1, BPG – 0.7

Jayson Tatum dropped two positions from last week’s rankings. This is despite scoring a combined 92 points in three games last week, which says a lot about his team at the moment. After a nine-game winning streak, the Boston Celtics have now lost three straight games.

The team will be left regretting the missed chances, although nothing is lost just yet. The Boston Celtics are still the number-one team in the Eastern Conference and have a clear shot at the title this season.

#1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Previous week's MVP ranking: 2 (+1)

Last Week: Games played - 1, Games won - 1, Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 42, Games won - 21, Games lost - 11

Overall: PPG – 25.1, RPG – 11, APG – 9.9, SPG – 1.4, BPG – 0.6

It will take a lot for Nikola Jokic to not win his third straight NBA MVP award. The Denver Nuggets have made use of an easier Western Conference to emerge as the firm favorites for the top seed, and Jokic has been dominant.

He is averaging a double-double, and his team has only lost 11 times with him in the lineup. He dethrones Jayson Tatum at the top of this week’s NBA MVP rankings.