NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Victor Wembanyama (Week 11)

Modified Jan 06, 2025 10:44 GMT

Denver Nuggets v San Antonio Spurs - Source: Getty — NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Victor Wembanyama (Week 11)

The NBA 2024-25 season continues past the 35-game mark and at least one new name manages to make the Top 5 NBA MVP candidates. Our weekly NBA MVP ladder sees a new name replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Second-year center Victor Wembanyama's rich run for the San Antonio Spurs makes him one of the players to have made the weekly cut.

Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell hang on to the fifth and third spots, while Nikola Jokic's videogame numbers put him in second place. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes the No. 1 spot. Also deserving a mention is LeBron James, who after turning 40 continues to set and break records as the LA Lakers surge to fifth in the West.

While the 4x NBA champion came close to earning a top-five spot, he misses out with Wembanyama and Tatum edging him out.

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NBA MVP ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Victor Wembanyama (Week 11)

#5 Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics (26-10) | W-L record in Week 11: 3-1

Jayson Tatum's revenge tour narrative is far from done as the forward continues to be the catalyst for the Celtics with his impressive plays on both ends of the floor. Before the upset loss against the OKC Thunder, the Celtics rattled off three wins in four games, all of which had Tatum stacking up the numbers. His best performance came against the Minnesota Timberwolves with 33 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

Stats (Week 11)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Jayson Tatum	25.5	8.0	4.5	1.8	0.0	43.4	38.1

Overall this season, Tatum has been averaging 28.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 46.4% shooting from the field and 37.0% from the deep.

#4 Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs (18-17) | W-L record in Week 11: 2-1

Victor Wembanyama makes a grand entrance courtesy of his DD2 numbers that have seen the San Antonio Spurs break into the Top 10 in a stacked West. The center had two 30+ and two 20+ point games in their last four games with the Spurs winning two of those contests.

Stats (Week 11)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Victor Wembanyama	27.3	16.7	4.0	1.0	3.0	52.5	29.2

The Frenchman's improved and consistent play on both ends of the floor makes him an MVP hopeful. He averages a healthy 25.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists this season. Only time will tell if he can manage a consistent place in the top five.

#3 Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers (31-4) | W-L record in Week 11: 4-0

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue their scintillating run this season and have a whopping 31-4 record. Led by Donovan Mitchell who has looked unstoppable, the Cavs have not lost a game after Dec. 8.

Stats (Week 11)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Donovan Mitchell	20.8	4.5	1.8	0.5	0.0	45.5	42.1

Mitchell's scoring last week might not be eye-popping, but his leadership and game awareness have been key reasons behind the guard holding on to a spot in the NBA MVP standings. A clinical record along with a bump in numbers will see him stay in contention for his maiden MVP honors.

#2 Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets (20-14) | W-L record in Week 11: 3-1

Nikola Jokic's absurd statistics see him bounce back into our NBA MVP Top 5. The center has been on a tear for the Nuggets as they recorded three wins in their last four games to take fourth place in the West.

Stats (Week 11)	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%
Nikola Jokic	36.5	16.5	11.3	2.0	0.8	46.7	35.7

Jokic has been propping up the numbers and is second in the league in scoring (31.5 points), and is the leader this NBA season in rebounds (13.0) while dishing out 9.7 assists per game.

#1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC Thunder (30-5) | W-L record in Week 11: 4-0

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the frontrunner to win his maiden MVP and his performances have seen the Thunder go on a brilliant 15-game win streak. The 30-point metronome's offensive prowess has been clinical as he makes his way to the top of the NBA MVP standings.