Kia NBA MVP Race: November 9th, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

#3 Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers

Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 5th (↑2)

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 10; Games won - 8; Games lost - 2

Last Week: PPG - 22.3, APG - 4.3, RPG - 11.0

Overall: PPG - 21.4, APG - 4.0, RPG - 9.4

Last Week: 3P% - 50%, BPG - 1.0

Overall: 3P% - 39%, BPG - 1.4

Joel Embiid might not lead the league in statistical categories but he is doing everything it takes for his team to win. The Philadelphia 76ers are currently at the top of the Eastern Conference table with an 8-2 record and are only one of three teams with two or fewer losses. Embiid is carrying the 76ers to wins despite the absence of Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris, which makes his NBA MVP case stronger.

However, according to recent reports, Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle have entered the NBA's health and safety protocols while Danny Green is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. We can expect the 76ers to lose the next few games and Embiid will inevitably drop in the NBA MVP ladder.

#2 Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors

Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 1st (↓1)

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

Overall: Games played - 9; Games won - 8; Games lost - 1

Last Week: PPG - 18.0, APG - 5.7, RPG - 4.7

Overall: PPG - 25.1, APG - 6.2, RPG - 6.6

Last Week: FT% - 100%, SPG - 1.3

Overall: FT% - 97%, SPG - 1.4

Stephen Curry's case for the NBA MVP award is messed up because he lacks personal numbers but his team is constantly winning. Over the last three games, he has averaged 18 points per game and is shooting a career-low from three-piont range (37%). He cleaned the glass brilliantly to begin the season but his rebounding has taken a hit as well. Hence, he has fallen by one spot in our NBA MVP power rankings but is still great enough to stay in the top five.

Stephen Curry is either leading the NBA MVP race in most publications or is second. The NBA's official MVP ladder has him ranked second. The Golden State Warriors are so dominant that they have won their last four games in blowouts despite Curry scoring pedestrian numbers. His supporting cast is finally stepping up and the Warriors are currently at the top of the league leaderboard with a 8-1 record. They are also the only team in the NBA with just one loss through the first nine games and are leading the league in most categories, including defensive rating.

Curry's brilliance is his gravity and every time he steps foot on the floor, he draws double and triple-teams 30 feet from the basket. The reason why the Warriors' role players are playing so well is because Stephen Curry is attracting defenders even without the ball in his hands. Hence, he is leading the NBA is box +/- and is third in offensive box +/-.

#1 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets

Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 10; Games won - 7; Games lost - 3

Last Week: PPG - 30.7, APG - 5.7, RPG - 8.0

Overall: PPG - 28.7, APG - 6.5, RPG - 7.5

Last Week: FG% - 55%

Overall: FG% - 57%

Kevin Durant wasn't in last week's NBA MVP power rankings because we feel the media will not give him the votes by the end of the season as he plays alongside two other All-Stars. The narrative is that he cannot be solely responsible for the team's wins because of the other star players. Many stars have not won the award because of this reason and Durant, as great as he has been, might not win as well.

Nonetheless, the Brooklyn Nets are winning and Kevin Durant is putting on a show. He dropped nearly 31 points a game last week and is currently leading the NBA in scoring with 28.7 points per game. Durant is also grabbing eight boards a game and has dished out nearly six dimes as well. He has been incredibly efficient, shooting 57% from the floor and defenses have had no answer for him lately. James Harden is playing like a shell of himself ever since the new rules were implemented and Kyrie Irving is still unavailable. Hence, his showtime performances make a case for the NBA MVP award.

The Brooklyn Nets are currently 7-3 through their first 10 games and are on a five-game win streak. Kevin Durant has had five games win double-digit rebounds, one game with double-digit assists and has scored over 25 points in eight of the 10 games so far.