Kia NBA MVP Race: Latest MVP ladder and power rankings feat. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and more | Dec. 23, 2022-23 NBA Season
The top five players in the 2022-2023 NBA MVP race remain the same in this week’s rankings. This comes as all five players continued to produce at an elite level over the past week. However, the top two have once again shifted.
On that note, here’s this week's MVP ladder.
#5: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 5th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 4, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 29, Games won - 20, Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 31.3, RPG - 2.8, APG - 3.3, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 29.5, RPG - 3.8, APG - 4.5, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 0.3
Last Week: FG% - 51.3%, 3PT% - 42.1%, FT% - 90.6%
Overall: FG% - 50.3%, 3PT% - 42.8%, FT% - 89.6%
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland to a perfect 4-0 record last week against competitive teams. This included wins over Indiana, Dallas, Utah and Milwaukee. Mitchell did so while scoring 31.3 points per game on elite efficiency (51.3/42.1/90.6 shooting split). Mitchell also made 16 3-pointers through four games last week. His week was highlighted by a 41-point performance with eight made 3-pointers on 58.3% shooting against Indiana.
Following the Cavs’ strong week, they still sit third in the Eastern Conference at 22-11. However, they are now just one game behind Milwaukee for the first seed.
#4: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 4th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 3, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 31, Games won - 19, Games lost - 12
Last Week: PPG - 31.3, RPG - 5.7, APG - 3.3, SPG - 2.0, BPG - 0.7
Overall: PPG - 30.1, RPG - 6.6, APG - 5.3, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 1.6
Last Week: FG% - 61.1%, 3PT% - 54.5%, FT% - 95.7%
Overall: FG% - 56.4%, 3PT% - 36.1%, FT% - 92.6%
Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant has solidified his place in the MVP race as he continues to lead the Nets to wins. Following their 3-0 week, Brooklyn have now won seven straight games to improve to 20-12 and fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Durant averaged 31.3 points per game on a hyper-efficient 61.1/54.5/95.7 shooting split last week. Durant’s week was highlighted by his 43-point six-rebound performance on 63.6% shooting versus Detroit. During that game, Durant was able to set a career-high for points in a quarter with 26 points in the third.
#3: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 3rd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 27, Games won - 18, Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 26.0, RPG - 17.0, APG - 10.3, SPG - 2.7, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 24.7, RPG - 11.0, APG - 9.2, SPG - 1.5, BPG - 0.7
Last Week: FG% - 50.9%, 3PT% - 50.0%, FT% - 74.1%
Overall: FG% - 61.7%, 3PT% - 32.8%, FT% - 79.8%
Reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic has been doing everything he can lately to secure his third straight MVP. This includes back-to-back triple-doubles in wins over Charlotte and Memphis. Jokic also made history during his triple-double versus the Hornets. He joined NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player in NBA history to put up at least 40 points, 27 rebounds and 10 assists in a single game.
Following the Nuggets’ win over Memphis, they moved into first place in the Western Conference at 19-11. However, only three games separate the first seed from the eighth seed. The Nuggets now just need to gain some separation atop the West in the coming weeks. If they can do so with Jokic playing the way he has been, Jokic could soon be the MVP frontrunner.
#2: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 1st (↓1)
Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 0, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 30, Games won - 21, Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 36.0, RPG - 6.0, APG - 3.5, SPG - 2.0, BPG - 0.5
Overall: PPG - 30.6, RPG - 8.1, APG - 4.1, SPG - 1.1, BPG - 0.9
Last Week: FG% - 48.9%, 3PT% - 31.6%, FT% - 88.0%
Overall: FG% - 47.2%, 3PT% - 35.8%, FT% - 86.0%
The Boston Celtics have been struggling lately with three straight losses and a 4-6 record in their last 10 games. This includes their last three losses coming against Orlando twice and Indiana. Superstar forward Jayson Tatum is still scoring at a high rate, though, including scoring 31 and 41 points in two games last week. However, the Celtics’ struggles still caused Tatum to drop in this week’s MVP ladder.
#1: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 2nd (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 1, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 26, Games won - 18, Games lost - 8
Last Week: PPG - 43.5, RPG - 12.0, APG - 2.5, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 1.5
Overall: PPG - 31.6, RPG - 11.2, APG - 5.1, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 1.0
Last Week: FG% - 65.9%, 3PT% - 25.0%, FT% - 73.7%
Overall: FG% - 53.7%, 3PT% - 25.9%, FT% - 64.0%
Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo only played in two games last week with the Bucks going 1-1 against New Orleans and Cleveland. However, Antetokounmpo finished with 40-point double-doubles in both games. He also remains the best player on the best team in the league, with Milwaukee sitting at 22-9. So at this point, it’s hard to argue against his status as the frontrunner for MVP.
For last week's MVP ladder, click here.
Also read: Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Jaden Ivey, Paolo Banchero and more | Dec. 21, 2022-23 NBA Season