It’s been four weeks since Bet FTW’s last MVP ladder and injuries have knocked a couple hopefuls out of the running, for now.
Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry have plenty of time to play their ways back into the convo once they return. For now, they’re replaced by Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two guards who have made previous ladders and continue to elevate their teams way above expectations.
Before we get into the rankings, Domantas Sabonis also deserves an honorable mention for what he’s doing in Sacramento. The Kings look like a real playoff team behind his stellar play. Also, check out this NBA awards roundtable, where a few of my colleagues made their midseason picks.
Now, let’s get into the ladder.
(Odds via BetMGM)
10
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+25000)
PPG: 30.9 | RPG: 4.8 | APG: 5.6 | SPG: 1.6 | BPG: 1.1
WS/48: .208 (11th)
Record: 18-22
We keep waiting for the Thunder to fall completely off a cliff, and it’s simply not happening. They won’t make the playoffs or anything, but SGA is giving them a chance to win every night.
Previous: NR
9
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (+50000)
PPG: 20.3 | RPG: 4.0 | APG: 10.3 | SPG: 1.8
WS/48: .206 (13th)
Record: 23-18
Did anyone see the Pacers being a playoff contender this late into the season? Haliburton’s rise has sped up their timeline, and while he can light up the scoreboard (43 against the Heat), the NBA’s assists leader is getting it done by involving his teammates.
Previous: NR
8
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (+3000)
PPG: 27.2 | RPG: 5.9 | APG: 8.0 | SPG: 1.1
WS/48: .163 (27th)
Record: 27-13
Morant has a pair of 25-point triple-doubles in recent weeks, and the Grizzlies are on a roll. Their seven-game winning streak is the longest in the NBA.
Previous: 8th
7
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (+1600)
PPG: 33.5 | RPG: 9.8 | APG: 4.6 | SPG: 1.2 | BPG: 1.7
WS/48: .242 (4th)
Record: 24-15
Embiid’s presence in the Sixers lineup has been enough to elevate them to fifth in the East, and they’ll only continue to rise if healthy. His three 40-point games in the last four weeks are more than the amount of losses Philly has in that time. He’ll keep moving up with more games played.
Previous: 10th
6
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (+3500)
PPG: 28.8 | RPG: 3.9 | APG: 4.8 | SPG: 1.4
WS/48: .197 (15th)
Record: 26-15
We all know about Mitchell’s incredible 71-point, 11-assist masterpiece to will the Cavs to a win over the Bulls, but he also had a recent 41-point night in the last month. Mitchell doesn’t always have big scoring outputs, but when he does, they’re huge.
Previous: 6th
5
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+350)
PPG: 31.7 | RPG: 11.8 | APG: 5.2
WS/48: .185 (21st)
Record: 26-14
Bucks injuries are forcing Antetokounmpo to carry the team in ways he hasn’t needed in recent years. He’s delivering in the box score, posting a recent three-game stretch of 40+ points, including a 55-point game, but it’s not translating to consistent winning.
Previous: 2nd
4
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets (+1400)
PPG: 29.7 | RPG: 6.7 | APG: 5.3 | BPG: 1.5
WS/48: .220 (8th)
Record: 27-13
An untimely knee injury threatens to knock KD back after he misses a couple weeks, but in the four weeks since the last ladder, he’s led a Nets team with just one loss in the span — and he scored 44 points in that game.
Previous: 5th
3
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (+400)
PPG: 30.8 | RPG: 8.1 | APG: 4.2 | SPG: 1.1
WS/48: .192 (18th)
Record: 29-12
Tatum’s peaks over the last month haven’t been as high as some of his contemporaries, but he also doesn’t have any significant lows. Plus, three 40 points games in that span is still really good.
Previous: 1st
2
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+300)
PPG: 25.0 | RPG: 10.8 | APG: 9.7 | SPG: 1.4
WS/48: .313 (1st)
Record: 27-13
The only real knock against Jokic at this point is that he plays on a really complete team. The Nuggets won Thursday with him scoring just 12 points. But he also has four 40-point games since our last ladder, in addition to all the other things he does.
Previous: 4th
1
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (+275)
PPG: 34.0 | RPG: 8.8 | APG: 8.7 | SPG: 1.6
WS/48: .253 (3rd)
Record: 23-18
Two games after scoring 50 points in Houston, Doncic put together that ridiculous 60-point triple-double that helped Dallas overcome a late deficit and beat the Knicks in overtime. Two games after that, he scored 50 again in San Antonio. And don’t look now, but the Mavs are up to fourth in the West.
Previous: 3rd
