NBA MVP rankings: Nikola Jokic sets bar high for Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum and more

After the first month of the NBA season, one player has emerged as a strong favorite: Nikola Jokic is still the best player in the world. The three-time MVP is having his best season ever, and he’s setting the bar as high as it has been in recent memory for the other players trying to catch him.

There have been many other outstanding performances during this first stretch of play. There are a few newcomers to this list who didn’t make the bottom of our final MVP rankings from last season, as well as the disappearance of Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard.

Here’s how this season’s MVP race is shaping up.

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NBA MVP rankings

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Average: 29.7 PTS, 13.7 REB, 11.7 AST, 1.0 BLK, 1.7 STL, 56.3% FG

Team record: 8-5, 5th in Western Conference

The Nuggets have been besieged with injuries, but Jokic has managed to keep them winning because of his brilliance. He ranks fourth in points per game. game, first in rebounds per match, first in assists per game, first in 3-point percentage and third in deflections per game.

Jokic’s 56.4 percent shooting from 3 is one of the most notable developments from his game. He lamented the Nuggets’ lack of lights-out shooting this season after the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, so he decided to make himself a dead-eye shooter, averaging career highs in both percentage and attempts (3.9 per game). He is now the best post player and best shooter in the game. Good luck stopping it.

The only thing that has slowed Jokic down has been personal reasons. He has missed the last three games and the Nuggets went 1-2 without him in that span.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Average: 28.7 PTS, 6.3 AST, 5.1 REB, 1.8 STL, 1.1 BLK, 50.0% FG

Team record: 12-4, 2nd in the Western Conference

Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder near the top of the Western Conference standings again. He is still unstoppable when he slides into the lane and leads the league in runs per game for the fifth consecutive year. He is the engine of the team’s offense and ranks sixth in the league in points per game. match this season.

SGA has also brought it back on the defensive end, averaging 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. The Thunder haven’t been able to use traditional centers for much of the start of the year due to injuries, and he’s been part of a guard-heavy group willing to do the dirty work.

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Average: 29.9 PTS, 8.1 REB, 5.9 AST, 1.4 STL, 0.5 BLK, 46.4% FG

Team record: 12-3, 2nd in Eastern Conference

Tatum has been the best player on one of the best teams in the league, so by default he will be high up in these ratings. But this is the most legitimate MVP case he’s ever had, and that’s because of the growth in his 3-point shot. He’s making 39.4 percent of those looks on a career-high 11.0 attempts per game, leading to the barrage the Celtics throw at teams every night. It has shored up one of his few weaknesses from last season.

Along with the improved shooting, Tatum’s well-rounded game continues to shine. He ranks third in points per game. tackles, rebounds and passes at a high level and brings it defensively. His benching during the Olympics seems to motivate him to have a monster year.

MORE: Why NBA fans think a social media post can curse the Celtics

4. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Average: 31.3 PTS, 11.2 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.9 BLK, 1.2 STL, 57.3% FG

Team record: 10-5, 4th in Western Conference

Davis has eclipsed LeBron James as the clear best player on the Lakers this season. He is second in the league in points per game. game and seventh in rebounds per match. JJ Redick has asked him to become more of a shooting threat, and he’s hit 43.3 percent of his looks from deep this season. He has also become more of a passing hub for the team’s offense.

Of course, Davis is also one of the NBA’s best defenders. He has been a fantastic rim protector, ranking sixth in the league in blocks per game. match. And he’s a capable switch defender, which the Lakers have done more of as a team this season.

5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Average: 28.1 PTS, 7.6 REB, 7.6 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.4 BLK, 43.5% FG

Team Record: 8-7, 9th in the Western Conference

The Mavs are off to a mediocre start, and Doncic hasn’t shot the ball particularly well. He’s hitting just 32.4 percent of his 3s, which lowers his efficiency. His defense hasn’t been up to par either – he blamed himself for a botched play that led to a loss against the Jazz. But even a below-average start for Doncic makes him one of the best players in the league. The team’s early season struggles have been more about poor rebounding and a weakened bench than him.

Doncic will likely drop off this list in his next update. He is slated to miss some time with a wrist injury.

MORE: Wrist injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Luka Doncic

Honorable mention

Stephen Curry, Warriors: The only reason Curry isn’t higher on this list is because Steve Kerr is keeping his minutes down. His 29.2 minutes per game is five minutes shy of his career average.

Curry has been the same nuclear shooter these minutes. He is hitting 44.1 percent of his 3s and leads the Warriors with 23.0 points per game. match. They have been a surprisingly feisty group that owns the best record in the Western Conference. Curry is still the engine that makes that offense hum, and he’s capable of throwing things in night-night dagger 3s to close games.

MORE: How the Warriors have built another contender around Stephen Curry

Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: Mitchell doesn’t get buzz as a top 10 player in the league. He’s in that rarefied air, and the Cavs have the best record in the league behind his 24.3 points per game. match. He is a much improved defender and playmaker who deserves more credit for how well rounded he has made his game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: Antetokounmpo has been the second best player in the NBA this season. He leads the league with 32.1 points per game and does everything for the Bucks. However, he falls out of the top five because the Bucks are a disappointing 6-9. With such a high level of talent, that must be the distinguishing factor.

If the Bucks could somehow restore their season and get into the East’s top four (they’re just three games out), then Antetokounmpo has to be considered a top contender for this award.

Kevin Durant, Suns: Durant has had a fantastic season, averaging 27.6 points per game. game and helped the Suns to an 8-1 record when he plays. They have only been 1-6 when he sits. He falls out of the top five in this discussion because of the time he’s missed, and he’ll continue to sit for a while with his calf injury.