Joel Embiid’s departure from the MVP race due to his minor surgery has created a vacancy at the top. While Luka Doncic has impressive numbers, his team’s winning percentage does not match his offensive output, making him a long shot for the MVP title. This leaves Nikola Jokić as the frontrunner for the award.
In any other year, Embiid’s exit would pave the way for Jokić to win his third MVP in four years. Jokić may seem like he’s taken a step back compared to previous years, but that’s only because Embiid was so far ahead of the competition. Jokić still has impressive stats, ranking second in Player Efficiency Ranking and fourth in assists. However, the Denver Nuggets have conserved their energy for most of the season, which may affect Jokić’s chances.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has emerged as a legitimate challenger to Jokić. He has quickly risen to the front of the MVP race as the Oklahoma City Thunder have become the second-best regular season team in the West. SGA’s scoring ability is impressive, especially inside the paint. He scores more points in the lane than some dominant post players, showcasing his versatility as a guard.
SGA’s ability to score in the post is reminiscent of 1990s basketball, a lost art among today’s perimeter scorers. He has more 30-point games in a single season than anyone except for Michael Jordan in the 1986-87 season. SGA’s presence on both ends of the court has been instrumental in Oklahoma City’s success. He has the best points differential per 100 possessions and leads the league in steals.
SGA’s efficiency is comparable to Jokić’s. His shooting percentage would be the highest of any guard averaging at least 20 points per game in the 3-point era. His true shooting percentage, boosted by his ability to draw fouls and score inside, is the third-highest of any guard in the last 34 years. His head-to-head matchups against Jokić also work in his favor, as he has a winning record against the Denver Nuggets this season.
As the season progresses, SGA has a chance to solidify his case for MVP. With two months left, he has the opportunity to finish strong and secure the award. The dominos have fallen in Oklahoma City’s favor, and SGA’s performance has been crucial to their success. It remains to be seen if he can surpass Jokić and claim the title of 2023 NBA MVP.
