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The calendar is shifting and with it the Kia race for MVP.

The most notable mover up Kia’s MVP rankings is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the undisputed leader of the surging Oklahoma City Thunder. Both the player and the team enter 2025 stronger after going 12-1 in December (the loss in the Emirates NBA Cup Championship does not count in the standings).

Gilgeous-Alexander has been brilliant all season and has three 40-point games in the last 10 days. That level of consistency must be recognized, as should the success of the Thunder as they continue to remain in the West penthouse. That’s why he moves up a step and pats Nikola Jokić on the shoulder.

Additionally, Victor Wembanyama moves into the top five thanks to an impressive December (and Christmas Day game in New York) at both ends of the floor. He’s No. 7 in scoring and more efficient than he was a year ago. He also averages more blocks than the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat.

Meanwhile: “The Joker” ranks third in the NBA in scoring, rebounds and assists and therefore maintains a distance between himself and the field on the rankings. This also helps in this case: Denver is in 4th place in the Western Conference.

Set the stage this week: The established multiple MVP winner will face a potential future multiple winner when Jokić plays Wembanyama in Denver on Friday (9 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass) and Saturday (8:00 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass) in San Antonio. This showdown with the big players is definitely worth keeping an eye on, if only because both are playing the best ball of their careers – which says a lot about Jokić and explains Wembanyama’s enormous potential.

The stats you should know: Gilgeous-Alexander finished 2024 strong with a hot December: 33.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He led all players in scoring throughout 2024 (January to December).

What they say: “He looks like the MVP, man. He’s consistent every night. His team will give him the ball and let him rock out every night… I love seeing that. It’s unbelievable, man. If he (continues) to do that, I hope they give him (the MVP) for sure this year…he’s just playing his mind out.” — Wolves guard Anthony Edwards on Gilgeous-Alexander.

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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s rankings: #1
Season statistics: 30.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 9.7 assists

His case: Jokić remains the benchmark for outstanding performances in the league so far. His most recent game against the Hawks added another blow to his raging case: the first 20-plus, 15-plus, 15-plus triple-double in less than 30 minutes in NBA history. And that followed 30 points, 22 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals against Utah.

With almost 31 points per game, Jokić is around 10 points above his career average. How many MVP candidates or MVP winners have ever achieved this?

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2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s rankings: No. 3
Season statistics: 31.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.1 apg

His case: He doesn’t seem to be able to survive even a mini-slump so far. Even after the Emirates NBA Cup title game, when he posted an uncharacteristic 8-for-24 mark, Gilgeous-Alexander returned with 35 or more points in five of the next seven games.

Its defense has also improved, much like OKC’s. Gilgeous-Alexander is No. 3 in the NBA in steals per game (2 SPG), has two games with four steals and one with five steals. He is also No. 2 among guards in total blocks.

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3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s rankings: No. 2
Season statistics: 32.4 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 6 apg

His case: Antetokounmpo remains a force despite missing a few games due to injuries (back spasms, illness, nothing serious) since winning the Emirates NBA Cup. But since returning to the team, he’s back to being MVP and leading the league in scoring.

Antetokounmpo has a crucial matchup next Wednesday with Wembanyama (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), their first meeting of the season. It will be an interesting MVP checkpoint for him and the Spurs’ young center, who like Giannis provides impact on both sides.

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4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s rankings: No. 5
Season statistics: 28.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.6 apg

His case: Another streak of consistency from Tatum, who scored 20 or more points in eight straight games and shot over 50% during that time. He had 33 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a loss to Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves on Thursday.

Tatum recently noted that other MVP candidates need to do more to help their teams, while in his case the defending champions are overloaded and therefore the demands on him are not as high.

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5. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Last week’s rankings: No. 6
Season statistics: 25.6 ppg, 10 rpg, 3.9 bpg

His case: The second-year center has made a huge leap in recent weeks, highlighted by his big Christmas game in New York. In December, he became the first player in NBA history to record 300 points, 100 rebounds, 50 blocks, 50 assists and 40 three-pointers in a calendar month.

Wemby is also a strong candidate for the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award. He leads the league in blocks, more than a full block ahead of Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.

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The next 5:

6. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks.
7. Karl Anthony Towns, New York Knicks.
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers.
9. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers.
10. Alperen Shengün, Houston Rockets.

And five more (ordered alphabetically): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Tyler Herro, Miami Heat; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; Norman Powell, LA Clippers; Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks.

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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for more than 25 years. You can email him here, his archive can be found here and Follow him on X.

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