NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Nikola Jokic (Week 13)

The NBA MVP race is a three-way competition between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as they joust for the top spot. With the season reaching the midway mark, these three players have been instrumental in keeping their respective teams in the hunt for a playoff and beyond campaign.

Jalen Brunson's consistency sees him land a spot in Week 13 of our MVP ladder, while Donovan Mitchell takes fourth place. Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis miss out with their sides enduring a wobbly run over the last few games.

NBA MVP ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Nikola Jokic (Week 13)

#5 Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are on a two-game winning streak and sitting pretty with a 29-16 record and third place in the East. Driving them is Jalen Brunson with a series of impressive performances.

Stats	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Week 13	25.7	1.7	5.0	1.0	0.0	47.5	43.8
Season	26.0	3.0	7.3	0.9	0.0	48.6	39.1

After a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the guard helped the side bounce back with wins over the Atlanta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets in the clash of the boroughs. Brunson makes our NBA MVP cut for the first time this season.

#4 Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers only suffered their seventh loss of the season, and dramatically at that. Donovan Mitchell had a quiet evening with 19 points, three rebounds, and three assists. He came off two 30+ points outings ahead of the clash against the Houston Rockets.

Stats	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Week 13	24.0	4.5	4.3	0.8	0.3	37.5	27.8
Season	23.3	4.6	4.5	1.4	0.2	44.6	40.2

However, his numbers this season are a picture of consistency. The Cavaliers are 3-3 in their last six games, but their star guard continues to prop up healthy numbers.

#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo | Miwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks continue their surge with four wins on the bounce. Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be in top form, dishing out three 30+ point performances.

Stats	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Week 13	34.5	14.0	4.5	0.5	0.5	67.6	0.0
Season	31.5	12.0	6.0	0.8	1.4	60.5	15.4

Giannis has made no secret of the fact that he is keen on winning his third MVP. If he can help the Bucks extend their winning streak and pile up on the numbers, there's every chance that he will be one of the contenders to pip Nikola Jokic and SGA in the NBA MVP race.

#2 Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic takes the second spot in the MVP race as he looks to keep the Nuggets in title contention. The big dropped two TD3s in as many games to help the side net consecutive wins over the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Stats	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3PT%
Week 13	23.7	13.0	10.0	2.7	1.3	72.2	60.0
Season	30.1	13.2	9.9	1.9	0.6	56.3	47.5

Jokic's elbow injury was a concern for the Nuggets earlier this month, but the Serbian quashed all rumors of serious injury by dishing out NBA 2K numbers. The Nuggets now sit fourth in the West with a 27-16 record.

#1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder

Account for his 50-burger on Wednesday night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to dominate the top of the NBA MVP standings. He's unstoppable at the moment with quality performances each game. In the four games played since last Wednesday, SGA recorded 40, 19, 27, and 54 points in each of his games.

Stats	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Week 13	40.3	4.7	7.7	3.0	1.0	56.0	26.3
Season	31.5	5.3	6.1	2.1	1.1	53.2	35.0

The guard is well on his way to earning his maiden MVP honors as he continues to be Thunder's key weapon this season. With a tough slate coming, it's interesting to see how he fares in the days to come.