5 early NBA MVP candidates

Three games into the 2022/23 NBA season, we have seen some excellent performances from superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the five NBA superstars that have emerged as early MVP candidates:

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The two-time NBA MVP (2019, 2020) is off to a great start this season. He is averaging 32.5 points in his first two games with the Milwaukee Bucks, going for 21 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday and 44 vs. the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

With co-star Khris Middleton missing the first few weeks of the season with a wrist injury, the “Greek Freak” will have extra duties offensively to cover his teammate’s absence.

Following last season’s elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are on a mission to return to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.

Donovan Mitchell

The superstar guard moved to the Eastern Conference this offseason after being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers by the Utah Jazz. His addition instantly made the Cavs a title contender.

In his first three games, he has shown that the Cavs’ decision to trade for him was the right one.

He is averaging 33.3 points per game and has led Cleveland to back-to-back wins over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday (128-96) and the Washington Wizards on Sunday (107-117, overtime).

With Darius Garland out for a few games with an eye injury, Mitchell will take over for the franchise, aiming to help the Cavs return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018.

Washington Wizards v Cleveland Cavaliers

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has been unstoppable over the Boston Celtics’ first three games of the season, leading the way for his team en route to a perfect 3-0 start.

Coming off his first trip to the NBA Finals, Tatum is now playing even better and his presence will be key to the Celtics’ effort for a second straight championship run.

Alongside Jaylen Brown, they have created the best duo in the NBA so far, making the Celtics an early odds-on favorite for the championship.

After the first three games of the season, Tatum is averaging 34.7 points per game, on 58.7% shooting.

Kevin Durant

The superstar forward of the Brooklyn Nets wants to prove doubters wrong this season and is extra motivated following a turbulent offseason and a failed trade request.

The two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP aims to bring a championship to Brooklyn for the first time since joining the team in 2019.

He also views this season as the last opportunity to win a championship together with Kyrie Irving, who is in the final year of his current contract.

After two games, Durant has made his presence felt for Brooklyn, averaging 29.5 points. With him and Irving setting the tone, the Nets recovered from a blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in the season opener and defeated the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center (105-109).

New Orleans Pelicans v Brooklyn Nets

Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard is coming off a rough 2021/22 season, which saw him undergo season-ending abdominal surgery while missing the playoffs for the first time after eight straight appearances.

The superstar of the Portland Trail Blazers has been fully healthy this season and has led the franchise to a perfect start so far (3-0).

Lillard has scored back-to-back 41 points vs. the Phoenix Suns (Friday) and Los Angeles Lakers (Sunday) and is averaging 34 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists, entering the MVP conversation.