NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of titans at the top

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 14, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid clashed in an epic game the other day, and both played well. But Giannis Antetokounmpo might have had the best week out of all of them. Did it have an impact on their standings in the MVP Ladder?

Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: Honorable Mentions

Karl Anthony-Towns: The Wolves have won eight of their last nine, and KAT is the driving force. He’s playing the best defense of his career and just dropped a 60-piece on the Spurs. Poor Jakob Poeltl is going to have nightmares. (Rank last week: N/R)

LeBron James: The King has scored 30, 31, and 50 in his last three games on efficient shooting, but it’s clear the team’s lack of success is weighing on him. The Russell Westbrook experiment could not have gone much worse, and the Lakers’ losing precludes the possibility of James making a late MVP run. (Rank last week: HM)

Steph Curry: Curry’s cold streak likely lasted too long for him to make a return to the MVP conversation, but Draymond Green’s return is sure to put a little more pep in his step. (Rank last week: HM)

DeMar DeRozan: DeRozan continues to put up big numbers, but the Bulls losing to the Kangz on a night where the 76ers also lost hurts. DeRozan, like Curry, will welcome the return of his defensive-minded teammate Alex Caruso. (Rank last week: HM)

Luka Doncic: Doncic won a fierce head-to-head battle with Jayson Tatum, but he also lost to the Knicks by 30, which is tough to overcome. His strong recent statistical run means he’s very capable of bouncing right back next week, but with Dallas in a fierce battle for playoff seeding, Doncic can’t afford any more off nights. (Rank last week: 4)