Find out why Nikola Jokic reigns again and Luka Doncic rises in the Kia MVP Ladder as NBA.com’s Michael C. Wright joins GameTime.
Setting the stage this week is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid coming off his first triple-double of the season Monday in a 138-94 thumping of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The metamorphosis we’re witnessing in his game only whets the world’s appetite for more Friday in Boston (7:30 ET, ESPN), should Embiid participate. The 29-year-old is listed as questionable (illness).
What’s not in doubt, however, is Embiid’s impact.
Averaging a career-high 6.6 assists for the 12-6 Sixers, Embiid finished an assist shy of a triple-double Saturday at Oklahoma City before notching career triple-double No. 6 two nights later against the Lakers.
He’s averaged 32.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists over his last three games.
A stat to know: 35-10 – Embiid has logged 35-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in five contests this season. That’s tops in the NBA among all players.
What they’re saying: “He draws a lot of attention because he’s such a good scorer, and usually, you’ve got to take your choice of: [are] you gonna stop him or come off people?” — 76ers coach Nick Nurse
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: 29 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 9.2 apg
His case: Jokic had 15 of Denver’s 37 assists in Wednesday’s 134-124 win over Houston. The Nuggets’ 37 assists with just three turnovers ranked as the second-most in NBA history by a team committing three or fewer giveaways.
Jokic also earned his seventh triple-double this season in Denver’s third consecutive victory. Of the 28-year-old’s 112 career triple-doubles, 94 have come in games where Jokic shot 50% or better from the field.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 32 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.6 apg
Joel Embiid is averaging a career-best 6.6 assists per game this season.
Setting the stage this week is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid coming off his first triple-double of the season Monday in a 138-94 thumping of the Los Angeles Lakers.
His case: The nightly stat lines are starting to look similar to the ones cranked out by the two-time MVP sitting one spot higher on this list. That’s a credit to Embiid’s willingness to expand his game as a facilitator while trusting the Sixers’ revamped supporting cast.
The six-time All-Star is questionable for Friday’s matchup with Boston. But it’s important to note that after this upcoming clash, the teams won’t meet again until February.
T-3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 7.9 apg
His case: Let’s squash the chatter about whether the 24-year-old can co-exist with veteran Kyrie Irving. The duo is thriving, notching three games this season in which each recorded at least 25 points with five assists.
In cooking up a 41-piece in Tuesday’s win over Houston, Doncic became the second player in NBA history to tally multiple games with at least 40 points, nine assists with no turnovers.
T-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 30.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: Oklahoma City trailed the Lakers by 14 points yet won by 23 Thursday as Gilgeous-Alexander racked up his league-high 12th game with 30 points or more.
OKC heads to Texas for a two-game road trip at Dallas and Houston. The 25-year-old is averaging 32.4 points on 56.3% FGs, 37.5% from deep and 96.4% from the free-throw line over his last 10 games. That’s consistency.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Season stats: 29.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 4.7 apg
His case: Welcome back. Antetokounmpo started the week passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most games with 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in a win Sunday vs. Portland.
Two nights later, Antetokounmpo (33 points) and Damian Lillard (32 points) became the first teammates since 2010 to each score 30-plus points in three straight games. The team’s up-and-down play seems to be evening out, but Thursday’s stunning loss at Chicago is notable.
The Next Five:
6. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Last week: No. 7)
7. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Last week: No. 5)
8. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week: No. 8)
9. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week: No. 6)
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (Last week: No. 10)
And five more (listed alphabetically): Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers.
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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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