Big changes afoot in our biweekly MVP race update. A new man on top, and plenty of changes up and down the list.
Leaving the countdown: Anthony Davis (previously No. 8): AD’s Achilles injury will keep him out for four weeks, and he’ll have plenty to do to get back on this list when he returns.
9. Stephen Curry (previously: unranked)
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Season stats: 29.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.2 APG, 48.6 FG%, 93.5 FT%, 25.5 PER
The Warriors aren’t quite The Warriors this season, but what Curry is doing of late can’t be overlooked. Over his last 12 games, he’s averaging 33.3 PPG on 53.3/46.5/96.2 shooting. Otherworldly.
8. Luka Doncic (previously: No. 3)
Season stats: 29.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 9.4 APG, 47.5 FG%, 79.5 FT%, 26.8 PER
NBA
Doncic keeps putting up video game numbers, but the Mavericks keep slipping down the Western Conference standings. I know he isn’t surrounded by a ton of talent, but 10th in the West won’t get you a lot of love in the MVP race.
7. Kevin Durant (previously: No. 5)
Season stats: 29.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 52.4 FG%, 43.4 3FG%, 86.9 FT%, 25.2 PER
Durant is dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out for six of the Nets’ last seven games and will sideline him again Sunday night vs. the Clippers. It will be the 13th game Durant has missed this season.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (previously: No. 6)
Season stats: 28.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 55.4 FG%, 64.3 FT%, 28.0 PER
Antetokounmpo is still getting it done (30.3 PPG over his last seven games) but isn’t getting much help; the Bucks have lost five of six games and have dropped to third in the East, behind the Sixers and Nets.
5. Damian Lillard (previously: unranked)
Season stats: 30.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 7.9 APG, 44.5 FG%, 38.5 3FG%, 93.5 FT%, 27.0 PER
Lillard has forced his way into the MVP discussion with his play of late — 32.7 PPG and 9.6 APG over his last seven games, all but one of them Portland wins. He’s doing it without his backcourt mate CJ McCollum and starting center Jusuf Nurkic, both of whom are out with injuries.
4. Kawhi Leonard (previously: No. 7)
Season stats: 26.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.0 APG, 50.8 FG%, 88.0 FT%, 27.2 PER
Leonard has steadily led the Clippers to a 22-9 record. He’s scored 20-plus points in all but two of the 24 games he’s played this season.
3. Nikola Jokic (previously: No. 1)
Season stats: 27.0 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 8.6 APG, 57.1 FG%, 87.5 FT%, 31.5 PER
Jokic is still filling up the scoresheet (26.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 8.7 APG over his last seven), but it’s not translating to wins for the Nuggets. They’re 4-3 in their last seven and sit seventh in the ultra-competitive West.
2. LeBron James (previously: No. 4)
Season stats: 25.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 7.9 APG, 50.2 FG%, 71.0 FT%, 23.9 PER
Very similar numbers to Jokic over his last seven (26.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 8.4 APG) and unfortunately, similar record: the Lake Show is 4-3 over their last seven games.
1. Joel Embiid (previously: No. 2)
Season stats: 30.5 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 54.7 FG%, 85.3 FT%, 32.3 PER (Leads NBA)
Unstoppable isn’t doing the man justice. He gets what he wants, when he wants it: 35.2 PPG and 10.7 RPG over his last 13 games on 55.4/40.5/85.6 shooting, including 50/17/5 Friday night against the Bulls. He currently has a 32.3 PER, which would be the highest in NBA history for a full season.