#3 Joel Embiid
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 1st (↓2)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Overall: Games played - 67; Games won - 41; Games lost - 26
Last Week: PPG - 34.8, APG - 3.8, RPG - 12.8
Overall: PPG - 29.9, APG - 4.3, RPG - 11.3
Last Week: FG% - 43.5%, 3P% - 57.1%, BPG - 2.0
Overall: FG% - 48.5%, 3P% - 36.6%, BPG - 1.5
Joel Embiid is currently leading the NBA in scoring now and is shooting at an absurd 57% from beyond the arc in his last four games. He is also grabbing over a steal per game and is averaging two blocks a night in that span.
However, the pairing of Joel Embiid and James Harden hasn't worked out wonders like most people expected. The duo has combined for inefficient totals while accumulating points at the free-throw line.
They have lost three of their last five games, including losses to the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets. The Sixers are third in the East but just one game ahead of the 5th-placed Celtics. Hence, if they plummet in the standings, Embiid's NBA MVP case will weaken regardless of his personal numbers.
#2 Nikola Jokic
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 4th (↑2)
Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 3; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 69; Games won - 41; Games lost - 28
Last Week: PPG - 28.2, APG - 8.8, RPG - 13.6
Overall: PPG - 26.0, APG - 8.1, RPG - 13.8
Last Week: FG% - 58.2%, 3P% - 7.7%, BPG - 1.6
Overall: FG% - 57.2%, 3P% - 34.9%, BPG - 0.8
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets won the showdown against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers and that improved the chances of his second consecutive NBA MVP award.
In the head-to-head battle between the two NBA MVP favorites, Jokic outrebounded, outassisted and had more steals than Embiid. Although he scored less than Embiid, his overall game helped the undermanned Nuggets overcome a healthy Philadelphia 76ers team.
The Nuggets play in the tougher West and as a result are sixth in the conference but in fact, have as many wins as the 76ers and Bulls.
#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 2nd (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 69; Games won - 43; Games lost - 26
Last Week: PPG - 35.8, APG - 4.8, RPG - 10.5
Overall: PPG - 29.7, APG - 5.9, RPG - 11.5
Last Week: FG% - 59.8%, SPG - 1.3, 3P% - 40%
Overall: FG% - 54.8%, SPG - 1.1, 3P% - 30.3%
The Milwaukee Bucks are on a roll and Giannis Antetokounmpo is on pace to win his third NBA MVP trophy before turning 30. He is averaging nearly 36 points per game on 60% shooting and is surprisingly also making 40% of his threes.
They have won seven of their last eight games, including impressive wins over tough teams like the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz. Their only loss last week was against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who hold the second-best record in the NBA.
The Greek Freak is just 0.2 points shy of the league leader in scoring and his case for the NBA MVP award grows stronger as the Bucks are now second in the East.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans? Check out the latest Milwaukee Bucks depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.