NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Power Rankings featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry and more | February 9th, 2022

The NBA MVP race is shifting every week.

Steph Curry seems to be out of his slump, and the Golden State Warriors are rolling. Joel Embiid continues to impress, but the Philadelphia 76ers had a subpar week. The LA Lakers' poor record makes it nearly impossible for LeBron James to make a splash in the MVP conversation regardless of his personal numbers.

Meanwhile, many are suggesting that Jimmy Butler should re-enter the discussion because the Miami Heat have the best record in the East.

Kevin Durant is injured, and the Brooklyn Nets are on a nine-game losing streak so the MVP narrative can go in either direction. On one hand, he is 'valuable' because his absence leads to losses. On the other hand, he is out for four to six weeks and the Nets are eighth in the conference. He might re-enter the MVP conversation if the Nets go on a winning spree after his return.

Moreover, Ja Morant seems more inclined to win the Most Improved Player award in his third season than the league MVP award. Chris Paul is leading the Phoenix Suns to the best record in the league, but his personal numbers are unimpressive compared to the other candidates.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the latest MVP Power Rankings.

#5 DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 5th (-)

Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 2; Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 54; Games won - 33; Games lost - 21

Last Week: PPG - 34.2, APG - 6.0, RPG - 7.0

Overall: PPG - 27.2, APG - 5.1, RPG - 5.2

Last Week: FG% - 53.3%, FT% - 89.1%, SPG - 1.6

Overall: FG% - 50.6%, FT% - 86.3%, SPG - 0.9

DeMar DeRozan is averaging incredible numbers the past few weeks. He put up 34.2 points a night last week and was carrying the Chicago Bulls in the absence of players. However, if the Bulls keep losing games, he isn't expected to get votes by the end of the season. They have lost 11 of their last 18 games and are now down to the third seed in the conference after holding the No. 1 spot for a stretch.

#4 Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 4th (-).

Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 2; Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 54; Games won - 30; Games lost - 24

Last Week: PPG - 23.5, APG - 8.5, RPG - 12.8

Overall: PPG - 25.8, APG - 7.9, RPG - 13.6

Last Week: FG% - 64.7%, SPG - 1.3, 3P% - 33.3%

Overall: FG% - 57.8%, SPG - 1.4, 3P% - 37.5%

Nikola Jokic continues to strengthen his case for back-to-back MVP awards. He dropped a near 24-point triple-double each game last week while shooting 64%. He isn't ranked higher in this power ranking because other candidates have better team records.

The Denver Nuggets (30-24) are currently sixth in the West. If Jokic carries this injured squad into the top four of the conference, his chances of lifting the trophy are higher.

#3 Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 3rd (-)

Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 2; Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 54; Games won - 32; Games lost - 22

Last Week: PPG - 32.0, APG - 5.7, RPG - 11.7

Overall: PPG - 29.1, APG - 4.4, RPG - 10.8

Last Week: BPG - 2.3, FG% - 50.0%

Overall: BPG - 1.4, FG% - 49.9%

Joel Embiid deserves to climb the MVP ladder because he is dominating like never before. The Cameroonian big man is averaging nearly 35 points and 12 rebounds recently and has carried this undermanned Sixers squad night in and night out. He now leads the league in scoring with 29.4 points per game.

However, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a few losses last week and are now fifth in the East. If Embiid maintains his numbers and the Sixers finish as one of the top four seeds in the conference despite the absences and injuries in the lineup, he has a better chance of winning his first MVP award.

#2 Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during a postgame interview

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 2nd (-).

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 54; Games won - 41; Games lost - 13.

Last Week: PPG - 25.2, APG - 8.0, RPG - 6.0

Overall: PPG - 25.7, APG - 6.4, RPG - 5.4

Last Week: 3P% - 47.1%, SPG - 2.0, FT% - 95.2%

Overall: 3P% - 38.1%, SPG - 1.5, FT% - 91.3%

Stephen Curry appears to be out of his shooting slump, and the Golden State Warriors have won their last nine games in a row, the longest active win streak in the NBA. He shot 47% from beyond the arc in his last five games while attempting the most 3-pointers in the league. He also averaged 8 assists per game while grabbing 2 steals a night.

Curry's game-winner and 40 points against Houston boosted his MVP award chances. Despite his lower numbers, he is leading most Vegas sportsbooks as the Warriors hold the second-best record in the NBA at 41-13 and haven't lost a game in over two weeks.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 1st (-)

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 56; Games won - 35; Games lost - 21

Last Week: PPG - 33.5, APG - 7.5, RPG - 12.0

Overall: PPG - 29.2, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.3

Last Week: FG% - 67.6%, BPG - 1.8, 3P% - 53.3%

Overall: FG% - 54.4%, BPG - 1.4, 3P% - 30.3%

It is getting tough to deny Giannis Antetokounmpo's case for winning his third MVP award. The Bucks won every single game last week and the "Greek Freak" averaged 33.5 points, 12 rebounds and 7.5 assists on 67% shooting. Incredibly, he shot 53% from 3-point range while attempting nearly four threes a game.

He dropped 44 points on 17-for-20 shooting (85%) along with 14 rebounds and eight assists to win against LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the road. The Milwaukee Bucks are up to second in the East with a 35-21 record, and Antetokounmpo deserves to be the clear frontrunner as of today.