'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA MVP race is heating up as we approach the All-Star game. Players always play their best when we approach the primetime weekend so that they can get the most fan votes possible. Unfortunately, Kevin Durant's four-to-six week-long injury has him removed from the MVP ladder, as no candidate gets the final votes if they miss more than 20 games in a season.
Joel Embiid's incredible stretch of games has resulted in his entry in the MVP power rankings of late. LeBron James would have entered the top five of the race as well, but his injury hampers his MVP award case.
He was leading the league in 30-point games at age 37. Many believed the narrative around his 19th season could have boosted his chances of the award, regardless of how the LA Lakers have fared this campaign.
Meanwhile, Chris Paul is on the cusp of making our MVP power rankings. He is leading the Phoenix Suns to the best record in the league at 40-9. However, many analysts believe his personal numbers aren't impressive enough to earn him the coveted award.
Similarly, Ja Morant is also knocking on the door, but he isn't expected to get votes, as his team has won a lot of games even in his absence. Additionally, he is more favored to win the Most Improved Player award rather than the MVP one in his third season.
On that note, here's a look at our top five NBA MVP power rankings:
#5 DeMar DeRozan
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 5th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 49; Games won - 31; Games lost - 18
Last Week: PPG - 28.0, APG - 8.3, RPG - 5.7
Overall: PPG - 26.4, APG - 5.0, RPG - 5.0
Last Week: FG% - 61.1%, 3P% - 50%, SPG - 0.7
Overall: FG% - 50.2%, 3P% - 34.6%, SPG - 0.8
DeMar DeRozan's NBA MVP case is hanging by a thread after the Chicago Bulls suffered a sitting of losses this month.
They won three of their last four games, but have lost eight games in January. DeRozan is certainly averaging incredible numbers the past two weeks. However, if the Bulls keep losing games, he isn't expected to get votes by the end of the season.
On a positive note, he is averaging over eight assists per game in his last three outings. He is also getting his teammates involved in the absence of other stars.
#4 Nikola Jokic
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 3rd (↓1).
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 49; Games won - 28; Games lost - 21
Last Week: PPG - 25.3, APG - 10.5, RPG - 13.3
Overall: PPG - 26.0, APG - 7.8, RPG - 13.7
Last Week: FG% - 57.4%, SPG - 1.8, 3P% - 50.0%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 57.3%, SPG - 1.4, 3P% - 36.3%, FT% - 81%
The only reason the reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic isn't ranked higher in this power ranking is because other candidates have a better team record.
The Denver Nuggets have won their last five games in a row, including wins over the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks. To further boost his back-to-back NBA MVP award chances, Jokic has shot 50% from the three-point range.
Moreover, he is perfect from the free-throw line, and averaged 1.8 steals a night last week. If the Nuggets climb to the top four spots in the Western Conference, there is no denying his NBA MVP case.
#3 Joel Embiid
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 4th (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 49; Games won - 30; Games lost - 19
Last Week: PPG - 34.7, 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 has forced his way into the NBA MVP race after a series of spectacular performances.
Many analysts, such as Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, have called him the best player in the NBA right now. He is averaging nearly 35 points per game this month, and has carried the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers to third seed in the East.
Despite the absence of his fellow All-Star point guard Ben Simmons and injuries in the lineup, the Sixers have climbed up the standings, thanks to the Cameroonian.
#2 Stephen Curry
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 2nd (-).
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 50; Games won - 37; Games lost - 13.
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 7.0, RPG - 8.0
Overall: PPG - 25.7, APG - 6.3, RPG - 5.5
Last Week: 3P% - 36.7%, SPG - 2.3, FT% - 91.7%
Overall: 3P% - 37.6%, SPG - 1.5, FT% - 91.3%
Stephen Curry's shooting slump has been frustrating for Golden State Warriors fans. He is averaging a career-low from the three-point range, but whenever his shots don't fall, he starts to do other things to help his team win.
He averaged eight rebounds, seven assists and 2.3 steals per game last week, and the Warriors won every game. Curry also had a monster step-back game-winning buzzer-beater against the Rockets last week, which boosted his NBA MVP award chances.
Despite his low numbers, he is leading most sportsbooks in award odds, as the Dubs hold the second-best record in the NBA at 37-13.
#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 52; Games won - 31; Games lost - 21
Last Week: PPG - 31.0, APG - 3.3, RPG - 10.3
Overall: PPG - 28.8, APG - 5.8, RPG - 11.2
Last Week: FG% - 54.9%, SPG - 1.5, FT% - 76.7%
Overall: FG% - 53.2%, SPG - 1.0, FT% - 71.9%
Giannis Antetokounmpo had an average few games last week. The Milwaukee Bucks lost two of their last three matches, and the one they won was because of the Greek Freak's dominant performance.
He dropped 38 points on 12-19 shooting along with 13 boards to fuel the victory against the Knicks. Antetokounmpo is averaging over 70% from the free-throw line this season, and is more confident in shooting threes.
The Milwaukee Bucks are fifth in the East with a 31-21 record, and need to win more games to solidify his NBA MVP case.
