Kia NBA MVP Race: December 30th, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

The chase for the NBA's MVP award is heating up.

Teams like the Western Conference's Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns share the NBA's best record at 27-7. In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls (22-10) and Brooklyn Nets (23-9) are worthy contenders, and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks (23-13) are close behind.

With another week completed, it's time to take a look at the latest MVP power rankings by Sportskeeda.

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No. 5: Chris Paul

Phoenix Suns star guard Chris Paul

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - #5

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 27; Games lost - 7

Last Week: PPG - 16.0, APG - 8.0, RPG - 4.7

Overall: PPG - 14.4, APG - 9.8, RPG - 4.1

Last Week: FG% - 52.8%, 3P% - 25.0%, SPG - 1.3

Overall: FG% - 48.3%, 3P% - 31.3%, SPG - 2.0

Veteran guard Chris Paul has powered the Phoenix Suns all season. The floor general for the Suns, Paul is having a sensational season as Phoenix tries to return to the NBA Finals.

In his last week, Paul averaged 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 52.8%. Although CP3 might not put up the production that some of the other candidates on this list will, his impact cannot be understated.

No. 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Boston Celtics v Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - #4

Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 1; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 26; Games won - 17; Games lost - 9

Last Week: PPG - 36.0, APG - 5.0, RPG - 12.0

Overall: PPG - 27.4, APG - 5.8, RPG - 11.4

Last Week: FG% - 56.5, 3P%- 0.0, BPG - 2.0

Overall: FG% - 53.0%, 3P% - 27.4%, BPG - 1.6

The Milwaukee Bucks have won seven of their last ten games, including a current four-game winning streak. The consistent play of superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo remains Milwaukee's calling card.

After being in the league's health and safety protocols, Antetokuonmpo returned last week and got back into his groove. In his one game against the Boston Celtics, Giannis had 36 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. He has averaging 27.4 ppg and 11.4 rpg this season. If Giannis and the Bucks can keep this up, he's going to have his case for MVP get louder.

No. 3: Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets superstar big man Nikola Jokic

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 28; Games won - 16; Games lost - 12

Last Week: PPG - 22.7, APG - 5.3, RPG - 16.7

Overall: PPG - 22.5, APG - 5.3, RPG - 17.3

Last Week: FG% - 40.3%, 3P% - 23.1, SPG - 1.3

Overall: FG% - 40.7, 3P% - 16.7, SPG - 2.0

The Denver Nuggets (17-16) are fifth in the Western Conference, leading a jumbled pack of playoff hopefuls. Superstar big man Nikola Jokic has kept Denver going.

Jokic's game has started to take off in the last couple of weeks. Last week, Jokic averaged 22.7 points, 16.7 rebounds, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40.3%.

No. 2: Kevin Durant

Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 20; Games lost - 7

Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A

Overall: PPG - 29.7, APG - 5.9, RPG - 7.9

Last Week: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A%, BPG - N/A

Overall: FG% - 52.3%, 3P% - 38.2%, BPG - 0.9

The Brooklyn Nets have the best record in the Eastern Conference and has won seven of their last ten games. Superstar forward Kevin Durant has been magnificent all along, and he's consistently been one of the favorites to bring home the MVP award.

Durant has been in the league's health and safety protocols but could return as soon as Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. When Durant has been on the court, he's been dominant. The "Slim Reaper" is averaging 29.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 52.3%.

No. 1: Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry

Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 26; Games lost - 6

Last Week: PPG - 36.3, APG - 4.7, RPG - 3.7

Overall: PPG - 27.7, APG - 5.9, RPG - 5.3

Last Week: FG% - 47.4%, 3P% - 40.5, SPG - 1.7

Overall: FG% - 43.3%, 3P% - 39.7, SPG - 1.6

After being slotted in second in the most recent MVP power rankings, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry earns the top spot this week. The Warriors have been a headliner all season, and Curry has been their marquee player.

The lethal offensive weapon continues to put up production at an impressive level and has also taken strides on defense this year. It seems as if the MVP race is going to come down to Curry and Durant, especially if both teams continue to have the same level of success. Curry had an outstanding previous week as he averaged 36.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 47.4%, including 40.5% from 3-point range.