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The NBA is just beyond the halfway point of the regular season, meaning there are still roughly three months to declare a winner in the Kia Race to the MVP.
But it is not too early to have the feeling that this race is getting too close . . . in the first two.
Perhaps at some point the players in the classification interact in an epic streak to generate suspense. It’s time for that. The challenge is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić are equally able to do so.
Here, at the end of January, the appearance is running through the appearance and neck and neck, either enjoying the seasons that will move away from the platoon.
This week, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points, then followed up the next night with 31. Jokić has had 4 straight games in which he lost 20 triple plays. . . without betting on the 4th quarter in those games . He then went 35-22-17 on Thursday in the first 35-20-15 game since Wilt Chamberlain.
After all that, here we are: in an almost dead heat of winter, because Gilgeous-Alexander occupies the first position for the moment. But the Nuggets consistently win, which only works in “The Joker’s” favor as the season progresses.
Define this scene this week: with the physical condition of Joel Embiid so unpredictable and that is charged to the Sixers this season, there is a wonderful new guy who crown the conference. Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks welcome Jokić and the Nuggets on Wednesday (7:30 p. m.
The stat to know: Jokić is the NBA’s top-five in points, rebounds, assists, 3-point percentage, double-doubles and triple-goblins.
What they are saying: “Joker, as the president of the Big Man Alliance, I made this for you, and I’m going to ship it to you. FedEx, it’s you, baby, because you’re the champion, the big daddy of Big Man, and the best Big Man in the league by far. I appreciate you.” — Shaquille O’Neal, before presenting a “championship belt” to Jokić.
His case: Gilgeous-Alexander has assumed the NBA scoring lead while continuing to produce defensively. He’s No. 2 in the league in steals (2 spg) for what is one of the most improved defensive teams this season.
As the season progresses, the Thunder’s overall win contributes to their position in the standings. This only adds up once Chet Holmgren returns to the lineup.
His case: Jokić now offers feats almost every night, like his raising game almost all Thursday. As for the triple-double, it was almost expected of him at this level, which is the highest praise.
Even better for him, the Nuggets are back to victory. His chances of overtaking Gilgeous (Alexander may depend on the number of wins Denver gets in OKC), assuming OKC remains number one in the West throughout the season.
His case: If anyone pierces the leaders, it’ll likely be Antetokounmpo. He remains a force at both ends for the Bucks, who are steadily cementing themselves as a top-four team in the Eastern Conference after a rough start to 2024-25.
Antetokounmpo won double-digit rebounds in 15 straight games and last held under 10 rebounds on Dec. 12.
His case: The Celtics have calmed down since their November nights and, to some extent, so has Tatum. In other words, Tatum does not deserve to be among the five most sensible.
It is still the player of one of the NBA groups and, at most, the nights, the field player, regardless of who the Celtics play.
His case: Towns was instrumental in Gotham’s war by losing 25 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, 3 interceptions and two shots against Brooklyn.
As mentioned earlier, he’ll get his first real test of the season on Wednesday when he meets Jokić in a crucial East vs. West big-man showdown.
And others (listed in alphabetical order): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; De’aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Tyrese Maxey, 76ers of Philadelphia; Brings Young, Atlanta Falcones
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
The reviews expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its clubs or the discovery of Warner Bros.