KIA RACE TO THE MVP LADDER
The Top 3 is locked in a tight battle while Giannis soars back into view as the Kia MVP chase continues.
Joel Embiid Makes Jump Behind Playmaking Prowess
Setting the stage this week is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid coming off his first triple-double of the season Monday in a 138-94 thumping of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The metamorphosis we’re witnessing in his game only whets the world’s appetite for more Friday in Boston (7:30 ET, ESPN), should Embiid participate. The 29-year-old is listed as questionable (illness).
What’s not in doubt, however, is Embiid’s impact.
Averaging a career-high 6.6 assists for the 12-6 Sixers, Embiid finished an assist shy of a triple-double Saturday at Oklahoma City before notching career triple-double No. 6 two nights later against the Lakers.
He’s averaged 32.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists over his last three games.
A stat to know: 35-10 – Embiid has logged 35-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in five contests this season. That’s tops in the NBA among all players.
What they’re saying: “He draws a lot of attention because he’s such a good scorer, and usually, you’ve got to take your choice of: [are] you gonna stop him or come off people?” — 76ers coach Nick Nurse
Top 5 in the 2023-24 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 29 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 9.2 apg
His case: Jokic had 15 of Denver’s 37 assists in Wednesday’s 134-124 win over Houston. The Nuggets’ 37 assists with just three turnovers ranked as the second-most in NBA history by a team committing three or fewer giveaways.
Jokic also earned his seventh triple-double this season in Denver’s third consecutive victory. Of the 28-year-old’s 112 career triple-doubles, 94 have come in games where Jokic shot 50% or better from the field.
Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in MVP Conention
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 32 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.6 apg
His case: The nightly stat lines are starting to look similar to the ones cranked out by the two-time MVP sitting one spot higher on this list. That’s a credit to Embiid’s willingness to expand his game as a facilitator while trusting the Sixers’ revamped supporting cast.
T-3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 7.9 apg
His case: Let’s squash the chatter about whether the 24-year-old can co-exist with veteran Kyrie Irving. The duo is thriving, notching three games this season in which each recorded at least 25 points with five assists.
T-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 30.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: Oklahoma City trailed the Lakers by 14 points yet won by 23 Thursday as Gilgeous-Alexander racked up his league-high 12th game with 30 points or more.
OKC heads to Texas for a two-game road trip at Dallas and Houston. The 25-year-old is averaging 32.4 points on 56.3% FGs, 37.5% from deep and 96.4% from the free-throw line over his last 10 games. That’s consistency.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Returns to the MVP Discussion
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Season stats: 29.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 4.7 apg
His case: Welcome back. Antetokounmpo started the week passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most games with 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in a win Sunday vs. Portland.
Two nights later, Antetokounmpo (33 points) and Damian Lillard (32 points) became the first teammates since 2010 to each score 30-plus points in three straight games. The team’s up-and-down play seems to be evening out, but Thursday’s stunning loss at Chicago is notable.
