Joel Embiid appeared to be en route to securing a consecutive NBA MVP Award before his knee injury sidelined him. With his absence from contention, the race for the coveted trophy is wide open. Here’s a rundown of the remaining top contenders.
Nikola Jokic, who clinched the MVP title in 2020-21 and 2021-22, narrowly missed out to Embiid last season. Currently, Jokic boasts impressive averages of 26.3 points (ranking 12th in the league), 12.2 rebounds (4th), and nine assists (4th). His Denver Nuggets hold the fourth spot in the competitive Western Conference, trailing the top seed by just 1.5 games.
While Jokic’s efficiency isn’t quite as remarkable as last season, shooting at 58.2 percent from the field, he remains a force to be reckoned with. Advanced metrics continue to favor him, leading the league in both offensive and defensive box scores plus/minus.
Critics argue that Jokic’s candidacy might lack excitement due to his previous wins and recent Finals MVP accolade. Additionally, his team’s performance, potentially needing to clinch the top conference spot, could impact his chances. The prospect of joining the elite club of players with three or more MVPs might be challenging if the Nuggets maintain their current fourth-place standing.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is gaining momentum among voters. The guard averages an impressive 31.1 points per game, leading the league in win shares. The Thunder, surprising many, are within striking distance of the Western Conference’s top spot and boast the league’s second-best point differential (7.1 points per game). Gilgeous-Alexander’s defensive prowess, notably his substantial lead in steals, contributes significantly to the team’s success.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks follows closely behind Gilgeous-Alexander with 30.8 points per game, accompanied by 11.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Despite his stellar performance, the Bucks’ season has been marred by disappointment, leading to a midseason coaching change from Adrian Griffin to Doc Rivers.
Antetokounmpo’s chances might be hindered by his previous two MVP wins and the Bucks’ perceived underachievement this season. Despite comparable records to the Thunder and Nuggets, Milwaukee’s season feels less successful, potentially impacting Antetokounmpo’s award prospects. When a team undergoes coaching changes and faces challenges, as the Bucks have, individual players like Antetokounmpo may need standout performances to garner consideration for MVP honors.
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