Kia NBA MVP Race: Latest MVP ladder and power rankings feat. Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and more | Jan. 13, 2022-23 NBA Season
The 2022-2023 NBA MVP race shifted last week as Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant went down with a right MCL sprain. Durant is expected to miss around one month, which will certainly hurt his MVP chances.
However, he still remains in the thick of the MVP race as of now, having played nine more games than Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid. Embiid continues to be on the verge of re-entering the top five with health being the only thing standing in his way.
On that note, here’s this week's MVP ladder.
#5: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 3rd (↓2)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 35, Games won - 23, Games lost - 12
Last Week: PPG - 12.7, RPG - 10.7, APG - 5.0, SPG - 0.0, BPG - 1.0
Overall: PPG - 31.0, RPG - 11.9, APG - 5.3, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.9
Last Week: FG% - 34.4%, 3PT% - 20.0%, FT% - 55.6%
Overall: FG% - 52.4%, 3PT% - 24.5%, FT% - 65.3%
Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was coming off his best week of the season in last week’s MVP rankings. This included him averaging 42.7 points and 17.0 rebounds per game over three games. However, Antetokounmpo followed that up with his worst week of the season.
Antetokounmpo averaged just 12.7 points per game on 34.4% shooting over three games last week. This included two single-digit scoring performances with nine points against Charlotte followed by seven points against Atlanta.
As a result, Antetokounmpo drops two spots in this week’s rankings. In a race this close, even a couple of off nights can be costly.
#4: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 5th (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 4, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 41, Games won - 30, Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 29.3, RPG - 8.3, APG - 4.5, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 30.6, RPG - 8.2, APG - 4.2, SPG - 1.1, BPG - 0.8
Last Week: FG% - 44.0%, 3PT% - 35.9%, FT% - 85.2%
Overall: FG% - 46.8%, 3PT% - 34.7%, FT% - 86.0%
The Boston Celtics got back on track last week, going 4-0 to improve to a league-best 31-12 record. Celtics’ superstar forward Jayson Tatum had a very strong week as well, scoring 30-plus points in three of four games. This includes Tatum recording a 31-point double-double versus New Orleans.
Overall, Tatum continues to be the leading scorer (30.6PPG) on the best team in the league.
#3: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 4th (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 2, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 39, Games won - 26, Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 25.0, RPG - 7.5, APG - 2.5, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 1.5
Overall: PPG - 29.7, RPG - 6.7, APG - 5.3, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 1.5
Last Week: FG% - 37.8%, 3PT% - 50.0%, FT% - 94.4%
Overall: FG% - 55.9%, 3PT% - 37.6%, FT% - 93.4%
As previously mentioned, Kevin Durant suffered a right MCL sprain earlier this week against Miami. However, that doesn’t take away from what he has accomplished this season. Durant is still averaging the fourth-most points of his career (29.7PPG) while shooting a career-high 55.9% and 93.4% at the line.
Prior to his recent injury, Durant had only missed one game all season and Brooklyn had won 14 of their last 15. In their last game without Durant, the Nets proceeded to fall to Boston. However, the Nets still remain second in the Eastern Conference at 27-14, in big part to Durant’s strong play.
#2: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 2nd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 39, Games won - 24, Games lost - 15
Last Week: PPG - 37.3, RPG - 11.7 APG - 10.0, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.7
Overall: PPG - 34.3, RPG - 9.0, APG - 8.8, SPG - 1.6, BPG - 0.6
Last Week: FG% - 49.3%, 3PT% - 41.7%, FT% - 69.8%
Overall: FG% - 50.1%, 3PT% - 35.6%, FT% - 73.8%
Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic continued his dominance last week, scoring 30-plus points in all three games. This included a 34-point triple-double versus New Orleans and a 35-point triple-double versus the Lakers.
Doncic also put up a 43-point double-double against the Clippers. This led him to average a 37-point triple-double for the entire week. The Mavericks also won two of the three games that Doncic played last week and lost their lone game without him to OKC.
For the season, the Mavericks are 24-15 with Doncic and 0-4 without him as he continues to carry a below-average Mavs team to success. Overall, Dallas now sits at 24-19 and fourth in the Western Conference.
#1: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Previous week’s MVP ranking: 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 3, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 38, Games won - 27, Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 21.0, RPG - 14.7, APG - 11.7, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 24.9, RPG - 11.0, APG - 9.7, SPG - 1.4, BPG - 0.6
Last Week: FG% - 67.6%, 3PT% - 80.0%, FT% - 81.8%
Overall: FG% - 61.8%, 3PT% - 37.5%, FT% - 81.2%
The Denver Nuggets continue to trend straight up, led by reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic led Denver to a perfect 3-0 week after averaging a 21-point triple-double on a ridiculous 67.6/80.0/81.8 shooting split.
Jokic’s week was highlighted by a 28-point, 15-rebound triple-double versus Cleveland. He also made some NBA history against the Lakers. Jokic became the first player to record 10-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and 15-plus assists on 100.0% shooting in a single game. This came as Jokic shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field while orchestrating the Nuggets' offense.
Overall, Jokic is close to averaging a 25-point triple-double on the season on 61.8% shooting. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are first in the Western Conference at 28-13. So once again, Jokic remains the frontrunner to win his third straight MVP.
For last week's MVP ladder, click here.
Also read: Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Walker Kessler, Paolo Banchero, and more | Jan. 11, 2022-23 NBA Season