Kia MVP Race: Who is leading?

• The performance of several top players has gone down, whereas some familiar faces have continued to impress in the past few weeks. 
•  As a result, there are changes in the MVP race. Giannis Antetokounmpo was leading the race last week but has since dropped to position five.
• Nikola Jokic, The Joker, tops the 2022-23 MVP race this week. His stats this season are 25.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 9.4 apg. 

The 2022-23 KIA MVP race has shifted in the past couple of weeks. The performance of several top players has gone down, whereas some familiar faces have continued to impress. 

The calendar flips to 2023 in less than 24 hours, and we have already seen some amazing performances. A perfect example is Luka Doncic, who recently amazed everyone with his performance.

Luka Doncic has recorded 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. Photo/ Marca.

Luka Doncic’s coach praised him, saying that he had contributed to writing the history of the NBA. 

“The history of the game is written by the players, and it was written again tonight.” Dallas Maverick coach Jason Kidd said after Luka Doncic’s amazing performance. 

But its’ not just Luka who has been impressive in the last few games. The race for the Michael Jordan trophy is tight and that means that even the players not in top five this week still have a chance. 

Without further ado, let’s find out which players are leading the 2022-23 MVP race this week. 

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks 

Giannis Antetokounmpo was leading the 2022-23 MVP race last week. However, he has dropped to fifth since his team is headed in the wrong direction. 

Milwaukee Bucks have lost the last four games in a row, including Wednesday’s defeat to the struggling Chicago Bulls. 

Giannis has played in all games, but his efforts have not been enough to help his team win. He has since developed 42 points or more because of his team’s performance in the last five games. 

His season stats are 31.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 5.2 apg. He produced his second career 40-20-5 performance on Wednesday, recording a season-high 45 points and a season-high in rebounds (22). 

4. Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets 

Kevin Durant has maintained his position this week in the 2022-23 MVP race. The Brooklyn Nets star was in position four last week, just as he is this week.

Durant helped his team win its tenth straight game this season, which is so far the longest winning streak of the 2022-23 season. 

In Brooklyn Nets’ last game, Kevin Durant reeled off a 26-point double-double. He managed 16 rebounds, which is his highest since December 2016. 

His stats are 29.9 ppg, 6.9 pg, 5.4 pg.

Kevin Durant. Photo/ CNBC.

3. Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks 

Luka Doncic dropped 50 and 60 points, respectively, in the last two games played by the Dallas Mavericks. 

During his side’s 129-114 win over the Houston Rockets, Luka recorded his league-leading eighth triple-double (35 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists). 

Luka Doncic has been averaging 40.4 points per game in the last five matches where the Dallas Mavericks have emerged victorious. He has also been averaging 11.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists. 

Doncic’s performance has played a massive role in Dallas Mavericks being position five in the Western Conference. His season’s stats are 33.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 8.9 apg. 

2. Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics 

Jayson Tatum has climbed the ladder of the 2022-23 MVP race from position three last week to position two this week.

Jayson Tatum. Photo/ ESPN.

Tatum managed to pass Antoine Walker on Thursday for the second-most made 3-pointers in the Celtics’ history (940). 

Jayson Tatum has been a joy to watch in the last six games. The 24-year-old has played a massive role in his team, maintaining the lead in the Eastern Conference standings. 

He will be looking forward to continuing with his performance as the Boston Celtics begin their four-game road trip on Sunday.

His stats this season are 31.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.0 apg. 

1. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic, The Joker, tops the 2022-23 MVP race this week. He was in position two last week. 

The Denver Nuggets have lost not more than ten games in which Nikola Jokic has started this season. He has led the team to 21 of its 22 wins, which is a great achievement.

The 19-year-old has managed 24 double-doubles and seven triple-doubles. His team is currently tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for first place in the Western Conference. 

Jokic’s stats so far this season are 25.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 9.4 apg.

Nikola Jovic. Photo/ The Japan Times.