An updated KIA MVP ladder is here: Nikola Jokic has a slight edge over his immediate chasers

There's an updated edition of the KIA MVP ladder, this one being the first after the All-Star break. With the regular season coming to conclusion soon, these next 7 weeks of competition will be key in order to define which player is going to be crowned as this campaign's MVP. Nikola Jokic appears as the frontrunner to earn his third MVP trophy, could someone else catch him and steal the award?

After Joel Embiid's injury and the incredible performances the 76ers center was having, this 2023-24 MVP race went wide open.

The Joker has won two of them already, but he's been in the conversation every year for the past 4/5 years. He recently joined Westbrook as the only players since 1997-98 to post a triple-double before the fourth quarter in at least four consecutive games. Lastly, he went for four straight triple-doubles for the past 4 consecutive wins with Denver. 

Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic are up there in the battle, a few steps behind Jokic. Both of them are having outstading seasons with their respective teams. Tatum's Celtics are the best team in the NBA, and have been all season long, proving consistency and desire to win. Luka Doncic is having yet another season putting incredible numbers for the Mavericks, improving every year but not being able to carry a Dallas team higher in the Western Conference standings. These two players will be face to face tonight, hoping to have a stellar performance that puts them closer to the Joker.

Giannis Antetokuonmpo is having another phenomenal season and his Milwaukee Bucks are starting to click under Doc Rivers. Giannis has been putting up the numbers the entire February, shooting from the field at a career high 61.7%. The Bucks are currently 3rd in the East, 4 victories above the Knicks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the other player in the top five. Oklahoma City Thunder surprised everyone this season by playing great basketball while being one of the NBA's youngest teams. They are only one game behind the Western Conference best, Minnesota. Shai is scoring with ease against every team, no matter who defends him. He has dropped 30 points in the last seven consecutive games.