NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Power Rankings featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry and more | February 28th, 2022
The NBA MVP race is heating up as the end of the regular season looms on the horizon. Superstars are playing at their absolute peak as every team wants to grab the best seed possible for the playoffs.
There are roughly 20 games left in the season and how a team finishes in the standings will make a major impact in the MVP race. The players are rejuvenated after a much-needed break.
Chris Paul's injury, which is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, essentially removes him from the race. The first-place Phoenix Suns are expected to lose a bunch of games while their marquee point guard is out, so the second-seeded Golden State Warriors might grab the top spot. In that case, Stephen Curry's odds of winning the award will improve if he improves his shooting splits.
Moreover, Joel Embiid is leading the race in most publications, but the addition of James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers will hamper his case. Many voters believe that having an MVP-caliber teammate essentially means that the player is not entirely responsible for the team's wins.
Many analysts believe Jimmy Butler and Ja Morant should re-enter the conversation. Butler has missed too many games this season, while Morant is more likely to win the Most Improved Player award.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five power rankings of the MVP award.
#5 Nikola Jokic
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 5th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 61; Games won - 36; Games lost - 25
Last Week: PPG - 17.0, APG - 10.3, RPG - 13.3
Overall: PPG - 25.5, APG - 8.0, RPG - 13.8
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, SPG - 1.7, 3P% - 20.0%
Overall: FG% - 56.7%, SPG - 1.4, 3P% - 36.7%
The Denver Nuggets continue to win despite injuries to their roster, and all the credit goes to the reigning MVP. Nikola Jokic has arguably been the best floor general in the league.
In his last outing against Portland, he scored just eight points but registered 11 assists and 18 rebounds in 26 minutes. Jokic leads practically every advanced statistic in the NBA, including PER, box plus/minus and win shares. The Nuggets have won every game since the break, of which two were blowout victories.
The Nuggets are 35-25.
Jokic is averaging 26/14/8 on 57% shooting and leading the league in triple-doubles.
MPJ is coming back next month. Murray might come back in April. https://t.co/2Po88uHdyH
#4 Steph Curry
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 3rd (↓1).
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 1; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 61; Games won - 43; Games lost - 18
Last Week: PPG - 22.5, APG - 12.0, RPG - 4.5
Overall: PPG - 25.7, APG - 6.5, RPG - 5.3
Last Week: FG% - 44.4%, SPG - 1.5, FT% - 80.0%
Overall: FG% - 42.8%, 3P% - 37.6%, FT% - 91.4%
Steph Curry is seemingly back in his shooting slump but has taken on the role of playmaker while players like Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala are out. The Golden State Warriors have played two games since the season restarted, and he has recorded double-digit assists in both. He dropped a season-high 14 assists in a blowout win over Portland.
Curry's MVP stock is low right now, but it might rise once the injured players return and if they go on a winning run.
Steph Curry dished out a season-high 14 assists as 8 @warriors players score in double digits to best the @Trailblazers!
@StephenCurry30: 18 PTS | 5 AST | 14 AST https://t.co/bxqWDLRc0U