The NBA season is nearing its end, and the MVP race is heating up and there are several contenders. Several players have put up impressive numbers and led their teams to success. But who are the frontrunners for the coveted award? Here are some of the top candidates and their cases.
Anthony Edwards: The young star of the Timberwolves
Edwards is having a breakout season as the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 22-year-old guard is averaging 26.4 points per game, the highest among his peers. He is also dishing out a career-best 5.1 assists per game while shooting efficiently from all areas of the court. Edwards has improved his free throw percentage to 83%, his three-point percentage to 37%, and his field goal percentage to 46%.
The Timberwolves are currently in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the Western Conference, with a half-game advantage over the Oklahoma City Thunder. They will have to cope with the absence of their star center, Karl-Anthony Towns, who is expected to miss a month after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. With the Towns missing the remainder of the regular season, Edwards will have to carry the load and keep the team afloat until the team returns in time for the playoffs. This will give Edwards plenty of opportunity to win his first NBA MVP.
Nikola Jokic: The versatile big man of the Nuggets
Jokic is the epitome of a do-it-all center. The Denver Nuggets star is averaging 26 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, putting him in the elite company of Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook as the only players to average a near-triple-double for a season. Jokic is also a lethal scorer, with a repertoire of post moves, mid-range shots, and three-pointers.
The Nuggets are one of the hottest teams in the league, having won seven of their last eight games. They are only a game behind the Golden State Warriors for the lead in the Western Conference. Jokic has been instrumental in their success, delivering clutch performances and highlight plays. He recently dropped a 32-point triple-double against the Boston Celtics.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The rising star of the Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander is proving to be one of the best young guards in the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is averaging a career-high 31.1 points per game, the third-highest in the NBA. He is also contributing 5.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game while shooting an impressive 51% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
The Thunder are in the thick of the playoff race, sitting at the second spot in the Western Conference. They have been riding on the stellar play of Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been on a scoring tear lately and looking to capture his first NBA MVP. He has scored 30 points or more in 46 games this season, the most in the league. He is also one game away from tying the franchise record for 30-point games, held by Kevin Durant.
The Thunder will face a tough challenge on Friday when they host the Miami Heat, who are coming off a back-to-back set. Gilgeous-Alexander will have to match up with Jimmy Butler, one of the best two-way players in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: The reigning MVP of the Bucks
Antetokounmpo is making a strong case for his third NBA MVP award. The Milwaukee Bucks star is averaging 30.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while shooting a career-high 57% from the field. Antetokounmpo is also a dominant force on the defensive end, with 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Bucks are the best team in the Eastern Conference, with a comfortable lead over the Brooklyn Nets. They have been relying on the consistent production of Antetokounmpo, who has missed only two games this season. He recently returned from a minor Achilles injury but could not prevent the Bucks from losing to the Golden State Warriors by 35 points. The 29-year-old had a subpar performance, scoring 23 points with seven rebounds and six assists. Antetokounmpo will have to bounce back and lead the Bucks to a strong finish.
Luka Doncic: The phenom of the Mavericks
Doncic is one of the most exciting players in the league, with a flair for the spectacular. The Dallas Mavericks star is averaging 34.6 points, 9 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game, putting him in contention for the scoring and assist titles. Doncic is also a triple-double machine, with 18 this season, the second-most in the league.
The Mavericks are in the eighth spot in the Western Conference, fighting for a playoff berth. They have been hampered by injuries but have been lifted by the brilliance of Doncic. He recently won the Kia NBA Western Conference Player of the Month award for the fourth time in his career. He is only two awards away from matching the career total of former NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki, the greatest Maverick of all time.
Doncic also made history by becoming the only player besides Russell Westbrook to record five consecutive 30-point triple-doubles. He achieved that feat in a win over the Miami Heat on Thursday, scoring 36 points with 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Jayson Tatum: The leader of the Celtics
Tatum is the undisputed leader of the Boston Celtics, who are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 38% from the three-point line. Tatum is also a clutch performer, having hit several game-winning shots this season.
The Celtics had the longest winning streak in the league, with 10 consecutive victories, before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Tatum had a quiet night, scoring only two points in the fourth quarter. He was part of a trio that combined for 64 points in the first three quarters but only seven in the final period, as the Celtics blew a 16-point lead.
The Celtics followed up with another loss on Thursday, falling to the Denver Nuggets in a potential NBA Finals preview. They have lost two in a row for the first time since early November. Tatum will have to regain his form as an NBA MVP contender and lead the Celtics to a turnaround.
Kawhi Leonard: The silent assassin of the Clippers
Leonard is the best two-way player in the league, with a lethal combination of offense and defense. The Los Angeles Clippers star is averaging 24.7 points per game while shooting efficiently from all areas of the court. He is on the verge of joining the exclusive 50/40/90 club, as he is shooting 53% from the field, 45% from the three-point line, and 89% from the free-throw line.
The Clippers are the third-best team in the Western Conference, trailing the Warriors and the Nuggets by a game. They have been relying on the steady play of Leonard, who has missed only three games this season. He is also a lockdown defender, with 1.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.
Leonard is not a flashy player but a silent assassin who gets the job done. He is one of the most clutch players in the league, having hit several game-winners and buzzer-beaters in his career. He is also a proven winner and an NBA MVP contender, having won two NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards.
These are some of the top contenders for the NBA MVP award, but others could make a case as well. The final stretch of the season will be crucial for determining who will take home the trophy. Who do you think deserves to be the MVP?
About The Author
Drew is a sports enthusiast and has a passion for sports. Also, he has previously written for Stadium Rant and Prep Hoops. For more great content, check us out on X @TotalApexSports. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we do several shows daily. Make sure you follow us on NewsBreak as well.