LeBron James and Luka Doncic waged an MVP-caliber battle on Wednesday.
Setting the stage this week is Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who became the first player to reach 39,000 career points with an early 3-pointer Tuesday in a 131-99 win against the Utah Jazz in West Group A action of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
The victory ensures home-court advantage for the Lakers in the tournament quarterfinals.
James, who turns 39 next month, followed the milestone with a tough loss Wednesday to the Dallas Mavericks. Still, the 21-year veteran ushers in a re-introduction to the Top 10 for a few of the league’s mainstays in the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
We knew it was just a matter of time.
A stat to know: 57.8% — That’s James’ field-goal percentage even after hitting just 47.4% against Dallas. If this holds all season, the four-time MVP would be sitting on a career-high field goal percentage at 39 years old.
Another stat to know: 73.3% — In season 21, LeBron James is registering the best marks of his career for effective field goal percentage (65.1%) and true shooting percentage (66.9%). And that success has been both about shooting in the perimeter and finishing in the paint.
James has shot a career-best 41.4% from 3-point range. But his shots in the paint have still been worth more, because he’s also shot a career-best 73.3% in the paint. (His previous high in the paint was 72.9% in 2013-14.) The percentage of his shots that have come in the paint (53%) is also his highest rate since his first season with the Lakers.
LeBron James shooting, six seasons with the Lakers
| Paint | Mid-range | 3-point range | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | FG% | FGA% | FG% | FGA% | 3P% | FGA% |
| 2018-19 | 62.7% | 54% | 43.1% | 16% | 33.9% | 30% |
| 2019-20 | 62.6% | 52% | 34.3% | 15% | 34.8% | 33% |
| 2020-21 | 68.0% | 47% | 36.4% | 18% | 36.5% | 35% |
| 2021-22 | 68.1% | 48% | 42.4% | 15% | 35.9% | *37% |
| 2022-23 | 65.3% | 52% | 36.4% | 17% | 32.1% | 31% |
| 2023-24 | *73.3% | 53% | 38.7% | **13% | *41.4% | 35% |
%FGA = Percentage of total field goal attempts
* Highest mark of his career
** Lowest mark of his career
Through Nov. 22, 2023
— John Schuhmann
What they’re saying: “I think he should be in the MVP race because he’s 38 years old. What person do you know at 38 that’s been doing what he does?” – Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Wood
And now, the Top 5 in the 2023-24 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 27.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 8.9 apg
His case: The two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP rebounded from an ejection Monday at Detroit by logging his sixth triple-double two days later at Orlando.
Still, dropping three of the last four in Denver’s current five-game road trip jeopardizes Jokic’s standing. So, he needs a strong outing Friday at Houston (8 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass) against budding star Alperen Sengun, who is fresh off a season-high three blocks in a win over Memphis.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 30.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 8.1 apg
His case: Leave it to Doncic and the Mavs to provide an early Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday with a nailbiter of a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 24-year-old racked up 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight dimes, including one zipped right in between James’ legs.
Dallas blew a 20-point lead in the win against the Lakers and face an LA Clippers team Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV) that will be on the second night of a back-to-back set.
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 31.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: The NBA’s scoring leader missed his first game of the season Wednesday at Minnesota, but the 29-year-old should be well-rested for Saturday’s game against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder (5 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).
The reigning MVP poured in 32 points in each of his last three appearances before sitting due to left hip soreness that he’s battled for more than a week. Embiid still ranks among the leaders in double-doubles (10).
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 30.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 6.3 apg
His case: Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the young Thunder ride a league-best six-game winning streak thanks to the 25-year-old notching his third 40-point game of the season on Wednesday that included a season-high 12 assists.
That’s 20-plus points in 13 of 14 games so far and 30-plus in nine outings. He’s taking advantage of every opportunity, too, sinking 42 of 43 free throws over his last five games.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 27.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.1 apg
His case: The 25-year-old tallied his 5,000th career point at TD Garden to join Celtics greats Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker as the only three players to accomplish that feat.
After racking up a season-high 45 points in a loss Monday at Charlotte, Tatum was listed as questionable for Wednesday with an illness. He shook that off with a 23-point, 11-rebound performance as Boston snuffed out Milwaukee’s five-game winning streak.
The Next Five:
6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week: No. 6)
7. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Last week: No. 7)
8. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week: unranked)
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (Last week: unranked)
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (Last week: unranked)
And five more (listed alphabetically): Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers; Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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