Shai Gilgeous-Alexander retires from Nikola Jokic, the rest of the field

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander there is sat at the very top of the NBA MVP list over the past few weeks. This battle between him, Nikola Jokicand Giannis Antetokounmpo was close, but now there’s a big gap between Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the field.

In addition to being tied with Giannis for leadership in the league and the Oklahoma City Thunder owning the best record in the Western Conference, the young guard stepped up when it mattered most in the revenge game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On January 8, the Thunder snapped their 10-game winning streak against the Cleveland Cavaliers and lost 129-122 despite 31 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. This game wasn’t so much about stats as it was about finishing with a winning mentality against the best team in the league. For Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder, this was a learning experience.

“It definitely wasn’t devastating.” “We definitely have a lot of basketball to get better,” said Gilgeous-Alexander after this loss. “At the end of the night, we got better that night and that’s the result for us.” It’s about improving, it’s about learning, it’s about growing from experience.”

Getting better is exactly the best way to describe SGA and the Thunder when they hosted the Cavs last week, a game played without Oklahoma City’s true big man. Gilgeous-Alexander had his guys ready to fight, and they came out on top against the best in the league. The Thunder won 134-114 in a game in which they led by as many as 42 points.

The biggest difference in this win compared to the loss in Cleveland was that Gilgeous-Alexander took command of the game, set the tone defensively early, and initiated every game-winning play the Thunder made in this game. Shai is a winner, and as a result, no one is close to him in the MVP race.

This is Gilgeous-Alexander’s prize to lose, and with the Thunder surging, losing doesn’t seem to be an option.

Previous NBA MVP rankings for the 2023-24 season: Sunday the 12th | Sunday 11 | 10th week | 9th week | week 7 | 6th week | 5th week | 4th week | 3rd week | 2nd week | 1st week

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Previous rank: #1

2024-25 Stats: 41 games, 31.5 points, 6.1 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, 53.2 FG%, 35.0 3P%

In addition to dominating the Cavs with 40 points, eight assists and two steals, Gilgeous-Alexander had a really solid week, leading the Thunder to a 3-0 record in the games he was available for. In those three games, Shai averaged 33.0 points, 9.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 67.3 percent from the floor.

What stands out most about Gilgeous-Alexander is that he simply does what it takes to win. Excluding the Thunder’s NBA Cup loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City has lost just once since Dec. 3 with Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. That lone loss came on the road against the Cavaliers, a loss that Gilgeous-Alexander made sure to avenge.

The Thunder are the best team in the league, and Shai is proving that he is the best player right now. It’s that simple.

2. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

Previous rank: #2

2024-25 Stats: 36 games, 30.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 56.1 FG%, 47.1 3P%

Nikola Jokic continues to drop triple-doubles like they’re nothing. In the Denver Nuggets’ three wins last week, Jokic recorded three triple-doubles, increasing his season-leading total to 18. The next closest player is LeBron James with eight triple-doubles.

As far as numbers are concerned, Jokic has the most impressive statistics. Not only is he averaging over 30 points per game, but the three-time Nuggets MVP is just 0.1 assists away from averaging a triple-double this season. That automatically makes him MVP worthy, not taking into account that the Nuggets are climbing the NBA standings after their shaky start to the year.

Denver is starting to look like a real title threat again. That’s why Jokic doesn’t have to drop out of the NBA MVP race just yet. Still, he has the ground to make up for Gilgeous-Alexander.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks

Previous rank: #3

2024-25 stats: 35 games, 31.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 blocks, 60.5 FG%

Keep a close eye on the Milwaukee Bucks as Giannis brings them back into the Eastern Conference championship equation. The Bucks have won seven of their last eight games, including four straight dating back to last week.

In those games, Antetokounmpo averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor. Antetokounmpo also had four double-doubles and one triple-double. All of this led to Giannis being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Although Antetokounmpo ends up making history every seasonthis year was probably his best. If he can continue to lead the league in scoring while posting double-doubles, the Bucks will continue to win games. As a result, Giannis will continue to lurk in the NBA MVP rankings.

Previous rank: #4

2024-25 Stats: 38 games, 25.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 55.0 FG%, 44.9 3P%

The New York Knicks have struggled, losing six of their last nine against the Atlanta Hawks on MLK Day. Despite their poor play, Karl-Anthony Towns has been fantastic for the Knicks this year, most recently having 30 points and 18 rebounds in a 140-106 rout of the Bucks.

In all, Towns has recorded 34 double-doubles this season, just three shy of Domantas Sabonis for the league lead. Towns has recorded nine consecutive double-doubles and has one in every game he has played since the calendar switch to 2025.

This is the best season of the big man’s career, and the Knicks are near the top of the East because of KAT.

Previous rank: #5

2024-25 stats: 39 games, 27.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 45.9 FG%, 35.8 3P%

Much like the Knicks, Jayson Tatum and The Boston Celtics are dealing with adversity of their own lately, losing four of their last seven against the Golden State Warriors on MLK Day.

However, Tatum has not been the reason for the Celtics’ struggles, as he has averaged 25.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the floor since the start of 2025. . The NBA MVP ranking depends on his individual performance.

Although the Celtics are a title threat, Tatum’s stats are often overlooked because of how good the talent is around him. Unlike Jokic, who makes the Nuggets what they are, Tatum is just one of five potential All-Star talents in Boston’s starting lineup. Until he breaks out and starts putting together massive points and consistent double-double performances, he won’t have a chance to leapfrog Towns, Giannis or anyone else in these rankings.

It’s just missing the cut

6. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs (6th place last week)

7. Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons (seventh last week)

8. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 8 last week)

9. Alperen Sengun – Houston Rockets (last week ranked 9th)

10. Anthony Davis – Los Angeles Lakers (ranked 10th last week)