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The criteria for the season’s most prestigious individual award extend beyond mere numbers, but one statistic stands out in the 2024-25 Kia Race for MVP: Oklahoma City’s prime position atop the Western Conference.
Currently, they enjoy a lead of 12.5 games overall (13.5 games ahead of the Nuggets), and since victories play a significant role in MVP voting—which varies by each voter’s perspective—this situation benefits the player chiefly responsible for this noteworthy lead: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Anyone who follows basketball recognizes that Gilgeous-Alexander has a distinct advantage over Nikola Jokić when it comes to his supporting cast; Jokić again finds himself without an All-Star teammate (a recurring theme throughout his career). Additionally, he lacks a partner who’s made the All-Defensive team, which is particularly crucial given the Nuggets’ struggles defensively this season (with a defensive rating of 114.8, ranking 20th in the NBA).
In contrast, Oklahoma City has both Jalen Williams, an All-Star, and Lu Dort, who is likely to be a strong contender for an All-Defensive team spot.
That said, Oklahoma City wouldn’t be in this favorable position without the contributions of Gilgeous-Alexander, who has spent much of the season without a reliable big man and is expected to receive recognition himself for his defensive efforts. Notably, he remains the league’s leading scorer by a substantial margin.
In the past week, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points against the Pistons (and Cade Cunningham) before following that up with 31 points (along with eight assists and only one turnover) against the Bucks (and Giannis Antetokounmpo). Both performances were decisive victories, and in those encounters with two fellow candidates on the Kia MVP Ladder, he emerged as the most impactful player on the court.
Consequently, Gilgeous-Alexander ascends back to the top with less than a month left in the regular season.
Looking ahead this week: a pair of fundamentally sound centers will meet on Sunday in Houston as Jokić faces Alperen Sengun. Although Sengun isn’t keen on being dubbed “Baby Jokić,” he possesses many of the same qualities as the three-time MVP.
A noteworthy statistic: Jokić and the Nuggets have suffered two losses to the Wizards this season, and in both contests, he scored over 40 points. The Nuggets have a 4-4 record when he reaches that milestone in a game this season.
What people are saying: “Over the past decade, Nikola Jokić has played the second-most games in the NBA. When Nikola isn’t on the court, it’s not due to a break or needing rest; it’s because he’s injured and endeavoring to persevere through conditions that most wouldn’t.” — Nuggets coach Michael Malone, commenting on Jokić missing consecutive games last week.
Prior ranking: No. 2 Season averages: 33 points, 5 rebounds, 6.2 assists
His argument: The top scorer in the league boasts 12 games with 40 points or more and makes it look effortless. In his latest 40-point game against Detroit, he shot 17 for 26 from the field. Earlier this season, he accomplished a similar feat in just 29 minutes against Cleveland, showing his efficiency.
He also contributed three steals versus the Pistons, demonstrating his abilities on both ends of the court.
Prior ranking: No. 1 Season averages: 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.3 assists
His argument: Jokić is still averaging a triple-double and currently leads the league in that category. As the season winds down, he is well-positioned to finish among the top players in scoring, rebounds, and assists.
However, the Nuggets are facing challenges; Jokić is starting to miss games due to elbow and ankle injuries—missing two straight recently. These persistent injuries must be significant since he typically plays through discomfort.
Prior ranking: No. 3 Season averages: 30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6 assists
His argument: Antetokounmpo has a strong chance to average over 30 points on 60% shooting for the season (currently at 59.9%). Achieving this for a second consecutive season would solidify his status as the most efficient high-volume scorer within the arc in the league.
Additionally, he is on track to finish in the top five for rebounding and could be named to an All-Defensive team as well.
Prior ranking: No. 4 Season averages: 27.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists
His argument: Regardless of how the rest of the season unfolds, Tatum has arguably delivered his best performance from October to April. His impact on both sides of the ball is a key reason the Celtics are in contention.
Nonetheless, with less than a month remaining, it appears the Celtics are managing his workload, as he has missed two of the last five games to rest his right knee.
Prior ranking: No. 5 Season averages: 24.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists
His argument: While Mitchell’s stats may not jump off the page, being the focal point of arguably the league’s top team often helps bolster his MVP candidacy.
Mitchell is averaging just 31.4 minutes of play per game, the least among the top five contenders on the Ladder—usually because his games wrap up early in the fourth quarter.
6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
7. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
8. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
9. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
And five more (listed alphabetically): Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks; Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can contact him here, explore his archive here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
