Kia MVP Ladder: Nikola Jokić surpasses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for No. 1 spot

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Within the seven days because the final installment of the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder, Nikola Jokić had his epic 30-20-20 sport, then was hampered by a sore elbow in a aggressive loss to Oklahoma Metropolis on March 9, then responded with a monster effort towards OKC in a victory on March 10.

In the meantime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rested for a sport — little doubt in preparation for a nationwide TV tip towards Jokić — then was excellent Sunday towards the Nuggets, faltered the subsequent evening in a loss to Jokić, then went to Boston and upended the defending champs.

All of which is to say: This race for the highest spot on the Ladder has juice and deserves drama.

Within the minds of some voters, possibly it isn’t shut right here in mid-March. On this ladder, it’s shut — accurately, out of respect for the seasons these two are producing.

You may make a case for both successful the MVP, and it will be a strong argument. However that point hasn’t arrived but. And so, there’s one other change on the high rung — it’s Jokić … for now. In contrast to Gilgeous-Alexander, he didn’t take a sport off. He overruled his coach and performed the evening after struggling the elbow tweak — and performed fantastically, too.

So, we transfer.

Setting the stage this week: Gilgeous-Alexander stops in Milwaukee on Sunday for a matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s holding agency at No. 3 on the Ladder. Total, the Kia MVP Ladder is basically a two-man race, however Antetokounmpo can at the least reveal once more why he’s within the working for this award.

The stat to know: Jokić has 29 triple doubles this season. The subsequent three highest gamers have 26 mixed.

What they’re saying: “I haven’t seen one participant play Shai one-on-one and cease him. Not one. He can get wherever he desires to go.” — Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Final week’s rating: No. 2
Season stats: 29 factors, 12.9 rebounds, 10.4 assists

His case: Jokić stays among the many high three in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals, an astonishing tempo with only one month left within the common season. If he finishes that prime in these classes, it will be an NBA first.

As Malone stated, Jokić is doing issues we haven’t seen earlier than. And as Jokić stated himself, that is his finest season — excessive stuff from a three-time MVP winner.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder

Final week’s rating: No. 1
Season stats: 32.8 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists

His case: Gilgeous-Alexander gained’t end the season because the steals chief as Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels has that on lock. However for Gilgeous-Alexander to complete because the scoring chief and No. 3 in steals (1.8 spg) demonstrates a both-ends-of-the-floor expertise.

Additionally: OKC clinched a playoff berth and will win the West by a double-digit margin. The Thunder beat the Celtics on the street with out Jalen Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander has crushed high quality groups all season whereas lacking key gamers.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Final week’s rating: No. 3
Season stats: 30.5 factors, 12.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists

His case: Antetokounmpo remains to be coping with a sore calf but continues a monster season. He’s second in scoring and may end among the many high 4 rebounders. Solely Jokić, Domantas Sabonis and Karl-Anthony Cities have extra double-doubles (they usually’ve performed extra video games).

Antetokounmpo has a vital assembly with Gilgeous-Alexander upcoming, much less when it comes to the MVP Ladder and extra when it comes to maintaining the Bucks inside the highest six within the East.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Final week’s rating: No. 4
Season stats: 27.2 factors, 8.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists

His case: Tatum, the fourth main scorer within the league, has 26 video games of 30 or extra factors. For the reason that All-Star break he’s averaging 28 factors and nearly 10 rebounds and 7 assists.

That is in some methods shaping up as the very best season of his profession. His all-around contributions have the Celtics in prime place within the East.

5. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Final week’s rating: No. 7
Season stats: 24.2 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists

His case: Actually at the least one of many Cavs (finest file within the league) deserves to be within the top-10, right? Effectively, they’ve two — Mitchell and Evan Mobley. As for Mitchell, he’s their licensed chief and finest all-around participant.

Mitchell may pump the brakes right here within the remaining weeks if solely to stay wholesome for the playoffs. With the Cavs up considerably comfortably on the second-place Celtics, his resting destiny shall be linked to the magic quantity for the highest seed.

The Subsequent 5

6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
7. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
9. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
10. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

And 5 extra (listed alphabetically): Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies; Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; Karl-Anthony Cities, New York Knicks; Trae Younger, Atlanta Hawks

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Shaun Powell has lined the NBA for greater than 25 years. You’ll be able to e-mail him right here, discover his archive right here and comply with him on X.

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