The NBA MVP race could see Nikola Jokic still having a chance after the past month saw him falling lower in the rankings. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is considered the strong favorite, but popular sports platform The Ringer recently ranked Jokic as their top choice. Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic have been considered the outside choices trying to catch up with Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Ringer ranked the following names in order and writer Michael Pina said the following about Jokic’s chances:
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Nikola Jokic
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Victor Wembanyama
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Kawhi Leonard
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Donovan Mitchell
“Jokic has been taken for granted. Whether we’re measuring value, skill, or production, Denver’s center (still) stands alone. One game does not make an MVP campaign, but he showed why he’s worthy throughout Saturday’s instant classic against San Antonio.
40 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks, zero turnovers, and one breathtaking floater or Sombor Shuffle after another down the stretch. Wemby is by far the most intimidating defender in the world, but Jokic had an answer over and over and over again to questions that have baffled the rest of the league for months.”
Pina referenced Jokic leading the Denver Nuggets to a strong victory over Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs when discussing his MVP case. The epic performance has made Jokic gain more momentum in the MVP race, but it remains SGA’s award to lose.
Breaking Down The Top Five MVP Voting
The rest of the MVP rankings surprised fans with some interesting additions and names missing from the list. Doncic was fully removed from the equation due to his regular season ending at 64 games with his latest injury.
Cade Cunningham also had MVP chances earlier in the season until his health issues forced him out. Both Luka and Cade will fall short of the minimum 65 games and will be ineligible to get award votes unless NBA Commissioner Adam Silver makes an exception to the rule.
Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell are surprising names not often mentioned in the MVP race. Pena snubbed Jaylen Brown most since the Boston Celtics star led the team to contention without Jayson Tatum. The list is quite controversial compared to other MVP rankings.
Does Jokic Still Have A Realistic Chance?
At this stage in the season, it would be a massive shock if any player but Gilgeous-Alexander wins the MVP award. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the best team in the league from start to finish behind his leadership.
Gilgeous-Alexander also gets credit for the team’s dominance with injuries to Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren at various points. Jokic has a realistic chance of moving up to second after beating Wembanyama in an important game and due to Doncic’s injury.
Voting will see some voters giving Jokic first place votes for his individual dominance, but the gap is too wide. The Ringer backed up their claim, while also recognizing that it will be a longshot for Jokic to pull it off. Gilgeous-Alexander should be the drastic favorite with Jokic and others trying to make up ground to end the season.
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