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The NBA MVP race has been a roller coaster ride lately. Two frontrunners, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, have fallen off the top two spots in the past few weeks, and several other candidates are now making their mark.
Chris Paul and Ja Morant are making a splash in the MVP conversation but haven't been too impactful to enter the top five of the rankings.
The Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies hold two of the top three records in the NBA, so Paul's and Morant's cases are quite strong, and they might crack the top five down the line. CP3 doesn't have flashy numbers to support his argument, but Morant's statistics certainly boost his chances.
LeBron James is also making a strong case for his fifth NBA MVP trophy. He is averaging stellar numbers in his 19th season and the narrative around his age and longevity is why many believe he can win the award. It is clear his prime is still going on, and there seems to be nothing that can slow him down.
The LA Lakers (23-24) have a poor record, so his chances of winning the award are slim, but there is a strong possibility he ends up as one of the finalists.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant's four-to-six week-long injury has him kicked out of the MVP race. His case isn't expected to improve after missing so many games, so he might be out of the race for good this season. Joel Embiid has made an entrance in this top five because his phenomenal performances can no longer be ignored.
There are several players currently having spectacular seasons who deserve to be recognized for their efforts. Let's take a look at the top five of the NBA MVP power rankings from Sportskeeda.
No. 5: DeMar DeRozan
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 4th (↓1)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 45; Games won - 28; Games lost - 17
Last Week: PPG - 35.3, APG - 4.3, RPG - 4.3
Overall: PPG - 26.3, APG - 4.8, RPG - 5.0
Last Week: FG% - 60.3%, SPG - 1.0
Overall: FG% - 49.5%, SPG - 0.8
DeMar DeRozan has been on a tear lately. He averaged 35.3 points per game last week on a ridiculous 60% shooting. He also grabbed a steal per game and dropped 41 points in his last outing. However, the Chicago Bulls have been disappointing in the new year. They have lost seven of their last nine games, including a blowout loss to the rebuilding Orlando Magic in their last game.
No. 4: Joel Embiid
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 46; Games won - 27; Games lost - 19
Last Week: PPG - 40.0, APG - 3.8, RPG - 11.3
Overall: PPG - 28.7, APG - 4.3, RPG - 10.7
Last Week: 3P% - 57.1%, BPG - 1.3, FG% - 58.0%
Overall: 3P% - 39.0%, BPG - 1.4, FG% - 49.8%
Joel Embiid makes an entry into our power rankings because his performances have been nothing short of otherworldly lately. He is averaging an absurd 40 points per game while shooting 57% from beyond the arc. He is also averaging a career-high in points and assists while recording just 31 minutes per game so far.
The Philadelphia 76ers are sixth in the East with a 27-19 record, so they need to win more games to solidify the Cameroonian big man's MVP case.
No. 3: Nikola Jokic
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 5th (↑2).
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 45; Games won - 24; Games lost - 21
Last Week: PPG - 36.3, APG - 10.0, RPG - 11.3
Overall: PPG - 26.1, APG - 7.6, RPG - 13.8
Last Week: FG% - 65.0%, SPG - 2.3, 3P% - 40.0%
Overall: FG% - 57.3%, SPG - 1.4, 3P% - 36.3%
The reigning MVP put on another show last week, averaging a 36-point triple-double while shooting 65%, including 40% from deep. Nikola Jokic also grabbed 2.3 steals per game and is averaging 13.8 rebounds per game, second in the league. He has led most advanced stats all season and he continues to do so.
However, the Denver Nuggets are struggling to win games, and many analysts agree his team record will hurt his back-to-back award chances.
No. 2: Stephen Curry
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 3rd (↑1).
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 47; Games won - 34; Games lost - 13.
Last Week: PPG - 23.0, APG - 8.5, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 26.3, APG - 6.2, RPG - 5.3
Last Week: 3P% - 30.0%, SPG - 1.3, FT% - 90.5%
Overall: 3P% - 37.6%, SPG - 1.4, FT% - 91.3%
Stephen Curry's shooting slump still continues, but he did register two incredible games last week. He posted 39 points against the Indiana Pacers and then dropped a double-double with 22 points and 12 assists in their next game against the Rockets.
Whenever his own shots aren't falling, he starts to set up his teammates, and he has had 8-plus assists in three of the four games this week. Additionally, the Golden State Warriors still hold the second-best record in the NBA and have won three of the four games this week. They won against Houston because of a monster step-back, game-winning buzzer-beater by Curry.
No. 1: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 2nd (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 46; Games won - 27; Games lost - 19
Last Week: PPG - 31.5, APG - 5.0, RPG - 13.5
Overall: PPG - 28.6, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.3
Last Week: FG% - 47.9%, SPG - 1.5, BPG - 1.5
Overall: FG% - 53.1%, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 1.5
Giannis Antetokounmpo is on course to win his third MVP trophy before turning 30 years old. He is averaging 28.6 points per game, the fourth-highest in the NBA currently and the second-highest scoring tally of his career.
The Greek Freak is also averaging a career-high six dimes a game while grabbing 11.3 boards a night, the third-highest of his career and sixth in the NBA at the moment. The Milwaukee Bucks (30-19) have won their last three games in a row and now are tied for the most wins in the East.
Guess the Lakers players!
Poll : Can Stephen Curry win MVP?
Yes
No
85 votes
