Most Valuable Player candidates
- Cade Cunningham (61 games)
- Victor Wembanyama (55 games)
- Nikola Jokic (54 games)
A bevy of viable MVP candidates are still considered legitimately worthy of winning the NBA’s most esteemed individual award. Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown is starting to be eclipsed by Jayson Tatum‘s return and star power, but what he’s done without Tatum won’t soon be forgotten. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is on a scoring run that’s driven the team’s eight-game winning streak.
Still, there’s no doubt that multiple players who could potentially lead the race are being penalized too highly for making pit stops. As previously mentioned, Cunningham has fueled his team’s turnaround, Detroit leading the East for most of the season. Though 52-18 overall, San Antonio Spurs are 10-5 without center Victor Wembanyama this season, but he’s arguably been the most dominant two-way player in the league. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been as marvelous as a three-time MVP can be, though his team is sixth in the West.
