There are fewer than two months left in the NBA regular season, and the time to make a move on the MVP award is now. This should be a great race down the stretch of the season, especially as some of the players on this list jockey for playoff positioning with their respective teams. Let’s get to the rankings.
(All stats through Feb. 22. The previous ranking can be seen here.)
1. Nikola Jokić
The Joker finally notched a triple double against the one team he never had before—the Washington Wizards—on Thursday night. While Jokić has held a decent grasp on the top spot of this list, it bears watching how the Denver Nuggets finish this season. I know people are more enlightened about team success as it relates to MVP these days, but it could be hard to deny No. 2 on this list if his squad finishes first in the conference.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After dropping a 31/6/4 statline in the All-Star Game, SGA put up a 31/8/4 against the Los Angeles Clippers in a win Thursday. Gilgeous-Alexander has really been a model of consistency all season long. And the Oklahoma City Thunder’s decisive, 22-point win over the Clips was an eye-opening statement coming out of the break.
Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated
3. Luka Dončić
Dončić moves up to the third spot, his highest showing on the rankings so far, after a dominant 41 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. The Dallas Mavericks have won seven in a row. They will now play six of their next seven against playoff teams. If the run of dominance continues, Dončić has a great chance to bring more attention to his case.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Did any team need the break more than the Milwaukee Bucks? The Doc Rivers era has been a mixed bag so far, with the memes far outpacing the wins. The Bucks are only 3–7 in their last 10 games, and closer to ninth place than first. I know, I know—this is an individual award. But can you really be the MVP if your team has as many swings as Milwaukee does? And yet I still can’t put Antetokounmpo any lower than this because of how eye-popping his numbers are.
Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated
5. Kawhi Leonard
The loss to the Thunder threw a little bit of water on the Clippers, and Leonard’s numbers may not grab you like some of the other players in the league, but for three months now, it’s felt like Leonard is in control of everything when he’s on the floor. His dominance, like his demeanor, is quiet. But I don’t think there are five players more valuable than him this season.
Honorable mentions (in no particular order): Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell.
