NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Week 8)

The NBA 2024-25 season ends Week 8 with much of the action focused on the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup knockouts and semifinals. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continue to headline our weekly MVP ladder as they lead their respective sides for an epic final on Tuesday (Dec. 17) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Luka Doncic's rich form blast sees him cut our rankings, while Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic continue to hold on to a spot. Noteworthy contenders for a top-five spot were Trae Young and Devin Booker as they propped up solid Week 8 numbers.

However, with the season hitting 25 games, there has been consistency with some names as they continue to dish out quality performances. On that note, here's a look at our updated NBA MVP ladder

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NBA MVP ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Week 8)

#5 Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks: 17-9 | W-L record in Week 8: 1-1

Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks were sent packing by the OKC Thunder in the NBA Cup knockouts. The guard had a quiet night with just 16 points but was a rebounding presence grabbing 11 boards. He erupted for 45 points in the next game in a high-scoring contest against the Golden State Warriors. His TD3 run included 11 rebounds and 13 assists as the Mavs beat the Warriors 143-133.

Stats (Week 8)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Luka Doncic	30.5	11.0	9.0	3.5	1.0	55.3	42.1

The ongoing season sees Doncic averaging 28.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 45.9% shooting from the field, and 35.5% from the deep. He also tallies 2.1 steals and 0.5 blocks.

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#4 Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics: 21-5 | W-L record on Week 8: 2-0

Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum suited up for just one game in Week 8. He was sidelined with a knee injury in the Celtics dominant 123-99 win against the Detroit Pistons. He returned against the Washington Wizards with yet another double-double, propping up 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Stats (Week 8)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Jayson Tatum	28.0	12.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	46.2	22.2

Tatum may have missed just two games this season, but he has been a force for the side leading them in points, rebounds, and assists. The 5x NBA All-Star averages 28.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 45.3% shooting from the field and 35.9% from the 3-point line.

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#3 Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets: 13-10 | W-L record in Week 8: 1-0

Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets

It was a quiet Week 8 for the reigning NBA MVP as he chalked up just 16 points in the team's sole game against the LA Clippers at the Ball Arena. Despite the lack of video game numbers, the Nuggets ended up with a statement 120-98 win.

Stats (Week 8)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Nikola Jokic	16.0	7.0	2.0	2.0	0.0	66.6%	0.0

Jokic continues to be top-tier in the MVP standings. The center is propping up 31.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.8 assists as Denver manages to hang in the top five.

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#2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC Thunder: 20-5 | WL- record in Week 8: 2-0

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC Thunder

It might be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's time after all. The Canadian guard continues to be a massive force for the OKC Thunder leading them to the NBA Cup Finals with a series of scintillating performances. He was his usual 30-point metronome self in both the knockout and the semifinal contest with 39 and 32 points respectively.

Stats (Week 8)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	35.5	8.0	5.5	4.0	1.0	52.3	46.7

On the season front, SGA is a picture of consistency with 30.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. He's been shooting at a healthy 54.0% from the field and 34.0% from the deep as the Thunder lead the West with a five-game winning streak.

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#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks: 14-11 | W-L Record in Week 8: 2-0

Atlanta Hawks v Milwaukee Bucks - Source: Getty

'The Greek Freak' has lived up to his nickname, and has been a key factor in the team's 14-11 improvement after a torrid 2-8 start to the season. The Bucks superstar handed Orlando Magic an exit in the knockouts with a 37-point display and followed it up with a 32-point DD2 to put Atlanta Hawks away in the semifinals.

The Bucks now have a chance to be the first East franchise to win the NBA Cup if they get past the Thunder on Tuesday.

Stats (Week 8)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Giannis Antetokounmpo	34.5	10.5	5.0	1.5	4.0	64.1	0.0

Giannis Antetokounmpo's monster numbers have been directly proportional to the Bucks' steady surge. The forward averages 32.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per contest on 61.4% shooting from the field.