Mar 16 MVP ladder update: where does Nikola Jokic rank?
We’re less than a month away from the completion of the NBA regular season, and the big picture is starting to emerge. That includes the MVP race, which has recently become consistent and unchanging.
Michael C. Wright of NBA.com publishes his weekly Kia MVP Ladder, with the most recent edition going out Saturday morning. Nikola Jokic topped the charts for the sixth week in a row, dating back to Joel Embiid’s meniscus injury.
Jokic has acquired a stranglehold on the title, with the rivals unable to intrude on his area despite their own outstanding performance. Jokic has been terrific all season and has recently improved his game, which has helped the Nuggets go 11-1 since the All-Star break.
Jokic has averaging a 25-point triple-double throughout that time, and Denver has risen to the top of the Western Conference rankings. The Joker’s abilities on the basketball floor are limitless.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ranked second in the MVP standings for the seventh week in a row. His Oklahoma City Thunder are battling the Nuggets for the Western Conference’s top spot. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks takes third place for the sixth week in a row.
The only change in the top five occurred at the bottom of the ladder, where Luka Doncic of the Mavericks surpassed Jayson Tatum of the Celtics. Doncis finished fourth this week, while Tatum placed fifth. Doncic and Tatum have alternated fourth and fifth place for three of the last six weeks.
Despite the fact that Jokic appears to be cruising towards this accolade, he’s only a -280 favourite, which does not indicate an insurmountable lead. If SGA can put together a solid final month and propel his team to the top seed in the West, this may spark a conversation.
But for the time being, it is Jokic’s award to lose. The massive Serbian 29-year-old would receive his third MVP trophy in the last four years. He won the award during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons before finishing second to Joel Embiid in the 2022-23 season.
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