NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Anthony Davis (Week 1)

The NBA MVP race has new names as the 2024-25 season gets underway. Week 1 saw some prominent names missing from the list and replaced by a slew of players in the MVP mix for some time now. In recent times, the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic have been constants earning first-place votes and throwing their hat in the ring.

While Week 1's list is not to say that these players will not break into the top five, our weekly MVP rankings do not feature any of the usual suspects but feature names who have been listed as NBA MVP favorites since the start of the preseason.

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NBA MVP ladder race 2024-25 season: Top 5 candidates ft. Anthony Davis (Week 1)

#5 Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0)

Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell has been off to a hot start as the Cavaliers started the season 3- 0 with wins over the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. The guard looked in pristine shooting touch as he led Cleveland to wins showcasing his offensive prowess.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3PT%
Donovan Mitchell	23.3	2.7	4.3	2.3	0.3	3.0	49.1	37.5

Last season, injuries played a part in Mitchell's limited time on the floor, but he still ended up averaging a healthy 26.6 points per game in 55 appearances. This time around, the Cavs led by a new head coach will hope that their best player post the LeBron James era will lead them to a healthy run in the East.

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#4 Steph Curry | Golden State Warriors (2-0)

Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors

Much of the Warriors' focus this season was on Steph Curry and how their new acquisitions would play around the team's bonafide superstar. The four-time NBA champion proved he was still a threat to average 20+ points per game with or without their championship core. He opened his season with a 17-point double-double in the team's decisive 140-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%
Steph Curry	18.3	5.3	6.7	2.0	0.3	3.7	41.5	40.7

Curry's scoring production has not dipped as he comes off a solid gold-medal campaign with Team USA. While his MVP ranking also depends on the team's result, the sharpshooter has begun on a winning note to be an early contender.

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#3 Shai Gilgeous- Alexander | OKC Thunder (2-0)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC Thunder

The OKC Thunder started strong with two solid wins over West conference rivals Denver Nuggets and then a victory over the new-look Chicago Bulls. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked his usual self spearheading the Thunder offense in tandem with Chet Holmgren.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%
Shai Gilegeous-Alexander	25.5	7.5	5.0	3.0	1.5	1.5	44.4	26.7

SGA dropped 28 and 23 points in his two outings so far to see OKC end Week 1 with an unbeaten run. Last season, the All-Star was one of the leading candidates for MVP alongside Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. If the runner-up of last year's NBA MVP race can ensure another 60-win season, which the side is pegged to have, this will be another season where the guard can walk away with the honors.

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#2 Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics (2-0)

Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were expected to come off the gates strong, and they did just that with Jayson Tatum leading them to wins over the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards in Week 1. The forward torched the Knicks with a 37-point masterclass coupled with four rebounds and 10 assists. He followed it up with another DD2, propping up 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%
Jayson Tatum	33.0	6.3	6.0	1.3	0.7	1.0	54.7	48.6

Tatum missed out on the MVP honors for the regular season, the Eastern Conference Finals, and the NBA Finals. Add the fact he was benched twice during the Olympic games, this season will all be about the disrespect tour for Tatum. Only time will tell if he can prove his detractors wrong.

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#1 Anthony Davis | LA Lakers (2-0)

Anthony Davis - LA Lakers

The LA Lakers have Anthony Davis to thank for after they recorded a 2-0 start to the season — the last of which happened when Phil Jackson coached the franchise. Davis showcased his dominance on both ends of the floor as he started DD2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves with 36 points and 16 rebounds. He followed it up with another 35-point blitz against the Phoenix Suns.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG%	3P%
Anthony Davis	33.0	12.0	4.0	1.0	2.5	1.0	54.4	36.6

Davis has never won NBA MVP, but a season where early indications show that he can indeed average 20+ points and rank among the NBA leaders in rebounds and blocks will see him make a case for taking the award.