On December 17, Beijing time, the NBA official website announced the latest regular season MVP list. Durant, who has played well in the past week, returned to the top of the table, Curry fell to second place with low efficiency, Jokic ranked third and James ranked 10th.
1. Durant, Nets
Last week's ranking: 2nd place
Season stats: 29.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists
In the game against the Pistons, Durant scored a season-high 51 points, and he also became one of the five players in The Nets' history to score 50 points per game, the other four being Carter, Irving, Carlislevert and Marbury. Durant is the only player in Nets history to score 50 points and triple-doubles in back-to-back games.
"KD is probably the least affected basketball player ever," Griffin said. "Tough shots, he can shoot there like no one defends."
2. Curry, Golden State Warriors
Last Week's Ranking: 1st
Season stats: 26.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists
Curry is the NBA's big red this week, and he surpassed Ray Allen to crown the all-time three-point king. But the truth is, his shooting percentage isn't up to the normal standard. His three-point shooting percentage (39.9) is at a career low. Of course, this has to do with the opponent's hard work to prevent Curry from breaking the three-point record.
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week's ranking: 4th
Season stats: 26.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, 7.5 assists
In Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves, the triple-double machine finished his sixth of the season (most in the NBA) and his 63rd career triple-double, ranking seventh on the all-time list. The Nuggets are now full of injuries, which has affected Jokic's MVP candidacy.
4. Alphabet Brother, Bucks
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Season stats: 27.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists
He lost 20 points in Boston on Monday and then went into the NBA's health and safety deal the next night. As a result, this gives Alphabet Brother a minimum of 10 days off starting Tuesday. At the beginning of the season, the Bucks suffered from injuries. Now, they're in the same trouble.
5. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Last week's ranking: 5th
Season stats: 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.1 assists
The Suns have a 5-2 record in the absence of scorer Booker, thanks in large part to Paul's leadership and consistency, who has contributed 40 assists in his last four games. With Paul as the main ball-handler, the Suns have a 15-1 record when at least six players have scored more than 10 points.
Players ranked 6-10:
6. Mitchell, Jazz (last week: not ranked)
7. Gobert, Jazz (last week: 6th)
8. Zach Lavin, Bulls (last week: 8th)
9. Trae Young, Hawks (last week: 7th)
10. James, Lakers (last week: not ranked)