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NBA MVP Race Player Rankings: Luka Doncic finally breaks in

By Duncan Smith

Feb 8, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) speaks with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) speaks with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA, Luka Doncic
NBA, Luka Doncic Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous: 10th. Stephen Curry. 6. player. 41. .

Since last rank: 37.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.4 APG

Shooting splits: .575/.500/.943

Put the ball in Stephen Curry’s hands and good things will happen. It’s a tale as old as time, and the Golden State Warriors seem to be remembering that lesson. After a week where Curry barely got to the free throw line, he took 35 free throws in the last five games.

Those easy points add up, and you can’t get those free throws when Curry is playing off the ball. It looks like maybe head coach Steve Kerr is starting to lean back that way, but we’ll see what happens when the Warriors play next on Thursday against the Orlando Magic.

5. player. 118. . . Previous: . Donovan Mitchell

Since last rank: 28.6 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.8 RPG

Shooting splits: .480/.512/.833

Donovan Mitchell finally breaks into these rankings and does so in a big way. Much like his Utah Jazz, he started the season slow before bursting into a fiery outburst and propelling his team on this 16-1 run.

Mitchell is the best player on the NBA’s best team right now, and while it’s obviously a stretch to call him a true MVP candidate at this point, that’s one of the main boxes an MVP checks off. He won’t be MVP, but… you never know.