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NBA MVP Race Player Rankings: It’s Damian Lillard Time for the Blazers

By Duncan Smith

Jan 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Previous: 9th. Luka Doncic. 4. player. 79. .

Since last rank: 39.3 PPG, 10.3 APG, 8.3 RPG

Shooting splits: .588/.522/.839

The Dallas Mavericks are finally getting it together, and Luka Doncic is the reason. The Mavs have a 4-1 record in their last five games, and Doncic is averaging 37.2 points per game over that span. He has been nothing shy of spectacular in recent weeks, and as a result, he’s skyrocketed from the realm of the snubs to No. 9 last week, and up to No. 4 this week.

The Mavs simply got off to too bad of a start for Doncic to be a viable MVP candidate this season, but he’s salvaging things with a remarkable rally. He may not be MVP, but he’s deserving of top-4 consideration in these power rankings.

Previous: 1st. Joel Embiid. 3. player. 93. .

Since last ranking: 31.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 SPG

Shooting splits: .492/.500/.857

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of a three-game slide, two of which Joel Embiid suited up for. In the strangest season ever (on par with last season, to be fair), it was inevitable that the Sixers would have a hitch in their giddy-up eventually. If it wasn’t for the incredible play of the two players that moved him out of the final slide of this ranking, he would likely still be ranked No. 1 yet again.

Embiid has played more and carried a heavier load than expected this season, and if he can keep that up and stay healthy, he’s going to be impossible to disqualify from contending for the NBA MVP award this season.