Startling move by Jaylen Brown rockets him up the Kia MVP Ladder, highlighting a season that’s far from ordinary. Brown poured in 42 points to power a win over the New York Knicks, stamping his case with a signature performance.
The Kia Race to the MVP feels like two separate worlds colliding—an upper echelon of superstars and a broader group fighting for recognition. At the top, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić sit as the leading trio—the obvious favorites and the most reliable bets, the “Park Avenue” crowd of potential MVPs. Unless someone unexpectedly erupts in the final stretch, this trio is likely to claim the award come April.
The lingering question has always been: who completes the top five on the MVP Ladder? That debate has persisted since early in the season, now intensified by injuries that have sidelined otherwise worthy contenders.
So, what should we do about Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama on this weekly ladder? The industry saying rings true: availability is the best ability. All-star talent only matters if you’re on the floor. In MVP terms, a player can’t influence the trophy from the bench. In today’s NBA, 64 games into a season aren’t enough to secure major honors.
As healthy players climb the ladder, others who are sidelined allow fresh faces to seize opportunity. This week’s top five includes Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown, two Eastern Conference stars making a noticeable push.
The season is long, and the coming weeks may bring new entrants into the top five. Perhaps Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama will reclaim spots once they’re back in action. That ongoing tug-of-war makes Ladder-watching endlessly intriguing, with a clear gulf separating the top three from everyone else below.
Looking ahead: will the Pistons’ perch atop the Eastern Conference wobble when Monday arrives in Boston? Detroit still leads, but a tightening pack is drafting behind them, with the Celtics among the league’s hottest teams. That sets up a meaningful East showdown between Brown and Cunningham, a contest that stands out as one of the season’s pivotal games, aside from the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals.
A notable stat this week: Anthony Edwards sits at No. 9 and is heating up, logging 30-point games in seven of his last ten, including five 40-point outings this season.
What people are saying: “He is not just one of the guys. He is one of the guys.” LeBron James on Austin Reaves’ sudden emergence for the Lakers, who sits at No. 7 on the Ladder.
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets Last week: No. 1 Season highlights: 29.5 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 10.9 APG, shooting at 61.2%. He leads the league in rebounds and assists and is averaging a near-triple-double as Denver thrives.
Why he’s in the mix: His all-around dominance keeps him in the MVP conversation, including a 40-point burst last Friday against Atlanta that sealed a one-point win.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Last week: No. 2 Season stats: 32.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.4 APG
Why he’s here: OKC’s heartbeat continues to excel, making the Thunder look nearly unstoppable. With 28 points in just 27 minutes against Phoenix, he’s positioning himself to claim the Emirates NBA Cup title—an objective that could heighten his drive after last year’s heartbreak.
- Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers Last week: No. 3 Season stats: 35 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.1 APG
Why he’s listed high: He remains the league’s leading scorer and is second in assists, delivering 30+ points in eight straight games. The Lakers remain strong in the West despite a Cup-quarter exit. A couple of blemishes—low three-point percentage and occasional carelessness with the ball—are the only real knocks on what’s otherwise a monumental season.
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons Last week: No. 4 Season stats: 27.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 9.3 APG
Why he’s climbing: Cunningham has been a steady force since opening night, anchoring a Pistons squad that could stay atop the East by Christmas. He’s driving playmaking for the team, ranking No. 2 in assists per game, and lately has delivered big showings—29 points with nine assists against Portland, followed by 23 points and 12 assists against Milwaukee.
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Last week: No. 10, up to No. 5 Season stats: 29.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.8 APG
Why he’s rising: Brown has surged five spots this week—the biggest leap of any player so far—thanks to a scoring spree that hints at a career-best stretch. He’s stepping up to shoulder more responsibility, effectively carrying a portion of the scoring load previously handled by Jayson Tatum. Over six games, Brown averages about 32 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 6.3 APG, helping Boston win seven of nine.
The next five contenders: 6. Jalen Brunson, 7. Austin Reaves, 8. Tyrese Maxey, 9. Anthony Edwards, 10. Alperen Şengün.
Additionally, a group of notable players remains in the mix alphabetically: Giannis Antetokounmpo; Jalen Johnson; Jamal Murray; Karl-Anthony Towns; Victor Wembanyama.
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can reach him at spowell@nba.com, explore his archives at http://www.nba.com/writer/archive/shaun-powell, or follow him on X at https://x.com/Powell2daPeople.
