The NBA released the latest rankings for the MVP award for the 2021-22 regular season. While Nikola Jokic remains at the top, while Luka Doncic has entered the conversation as he returned to the Top-5.
The Top-3 favorites remained the same from the previous week with Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. As for Doncic, he led his team to a 3-1 record in the ongoing five-game road trip, which ends Sunday against Hornets.
The NBA announced on Monday that Doncic took home Player of the Week honors in the Western Conference for games played from Mar. 7 through Mar. 13. The Mavs’ superstar has been on a great run lately.
He has scored 30+ points in six of the Dallas’ last nine games. Against Brooklyn on Wednesday, Doncic registered 24 points in just the first half on the way to finish with 37 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals.
Jokic continued his reign in the NBA rankings with the 23rd consecutive double-double in Washington Wednesdays. Receiving MVP chants in the process, the Serbian superstar put up 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes. Jokic had another great night in Cleveland Friday with another commanding performance of 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Joel Embiid kept his pace for the award with consecutive 30+ point games against Cleveland and Dallas. Embiid helped the Sixers stroll past Luka Doncic and co. with 32 points, eight rebounds and four assists. He and Harden combined for 56 points in the 101-111 victory Friday night. Embiid has a legitimate chance to become the first center since Shaquille O’Neal to lead the league in scoring.
The Bucks are gradually getting into their playoff form in the latest games. Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton put on a show in Sacramento on Wednesday, combining for 68 points, with the Finals MVP racking up 36 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. The Bucks will end their road trip out in the West with a game against the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday evening. Antetokounmpo has scored 30 points or more in five consecutive games and he’s averaging 32.3 points on 51.6 percent from the floor along with 11.0 rebounds.
Ja Morant is also remaining at the Top-5 of the MVP rankings as Memphis is looking to secure the 2 seed in the Western Conference. The top team in scoring the paint with 58.2 points thanks to Morant’s aggressiveness. Morant is shooting 49 percent from the field during this season, while he’s making his jump shot in a 39-percent clip.
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