NBA MVP Rankings: Joel Embiid in the Lead Before Christmas

The 76ers center edges out Nuggets star Nikola Jokić—despite having a less-than-stellar supporting cast in Philadelphia.

Week 2 of Sports Illustrated’s MVP rankings are here, as we head into the NBA’s Christmas day games on, uh … Christmas. After a little bit of waffling on my part last week, I think there’s a definitive leader in the second installment. Here’s what my completely real, definitely not imaginary MVP ballot would look like if voting were to take place today.

(All stats through Dec. 21. Last week’s rankings can be seen here.)

1. Joel Embiid

Thanks in part to feasting on the dregs of the Eastern Conference, Embiid continues to dominate. In his last four games since the previous rankings, Embiid has scored 35, 42, 40 and 51. The Philadelphia 76ers have a plus-13.4 net rating with their big man on the floor, per Cleaning The Glass. Embiid has been dominant on both ends of the floor, and doing so with arguably his least heralded supporting cast of the decade.

Embiid celebrates with fans after scoring 51 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves :: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

2. Nikola Jokić

The Joker remains an advanced stats darling and, for my money, still the most devastating offensive force in basketball. The Denver Nuggets have had some slightly sluggish stretches this season, with injuries playing a factor in a less-than-fully-dominant start. And while Jokić’s scoring is up compared from last year, his efficiency has taken a noticeable dip. There‘s a long way to go, though. Joker will have his chance to make a run at this award.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Greek Freak moves up one spot in the rankings this week, aided by a Milwuakee Bucks team that’s won five in a row. The numbers remain eye-popping—30.9 points, 11 rebounds and 5.4 assists a night on 60.3% shooting. Also helping Giannis’s case is Milwaukee’s defense, which has slowly but surely creeped up the last few games, but is still only 20th-best in the league. I want to see that continue to improve to reflect the impact Antetokounmpo has on that end of the floor. But as long as Damian Lillard plays closer for this team, it will be difficult to separate Giannis from the two players ahead of him.

4. Luka Dončić

Luka beats the player below him in every counting stat. And while the Dallas Mavericks have cooled off slightly after a hot start, I still think them holding steady in the top six of the West is somewhat of a surprise to most people. I’m not sure how much longer Dončić can hang on to the fourth spot, but a 32.7/8.4/9.1 line deserves an immense amount of respect.

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

As the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to roll, I expect SGA to move up this list in the very near future.

Honorable mentions: Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards