NBA MVP rankings: Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in lead

Any team sport also demands individual excellence. In all major competitions there is an award for an elite athlete who becomes one of the main reasons for the team's good results. In the NBA, this year the MVP of the season is being hotly contested among several of the NBA's top stars.

Some of the favourites are Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard or Jayson Tatum, who are completing an absolutely outstanding 2023/24 season.

First on the list features Denver Nuggets’ star centre Nikola Jokic. The 29-year-old is averaging 26.1 points per game for the franchise which is the 13th best in the competition. He is also contributing 12.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game which is the third and fourth best in the league.

Second on the list features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 25-year-old is averaging 31.2 points per game, which is the second-best in the competition. To go with that he is averaging 5.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic is third on the list. The 25-year-old is contributing 34.3 points per game, the best by any player in the competition. He is contributing 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game as well.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the fourth on the list. The 29-year-old is contributing 30.8 points per game which is the third-best in the competition. He is also averaging 11.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers is fifth on this list. The 32-year-old is averaging 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season. His most impressive performance this season came in the match against the Utah Jazz where he registered 41 points to go with five rebounds and five assists.

Here are some other players who are also in the race to become the NBA MVP this season.

- Jayson Tatum, Celtics

- Kevin Durant, Suns

- Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers