The NBA season is just three weeks in, but a handful of stars have already put the league on notice with their play.
And once again, international players are dominating the Most Valuable Player conversation, as the U.S. has been shut out of the award since James Harden won it in 2018.
Everyone is chasing Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP who produced one of the most prolific seasons in basketball history, adding a scoring title, an NBA Finals championship, a Finals MVP and a first-team All-NBA selection to his MVP trophy.
Not surprisingly, with the Thunder off to an NBA-best 12-1 start, Gilgeous-Alexander is once again in the MVP conversation.
Here are the other players joining him, as USA TODAY Sports provides its first NBA MVP power rankings of the season.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
The model of consistency, Gilgeous-Alexander has followed up his MVP by doing exactly what got him the award: being a consistent 30-point machine and elevating the play of his teammates; Gilgeous-Alexander has failed to score 30 or more points just twice this season. Making that even wilder: the Thunder have been ahead by so many points that he hasn’t even had to play in four fourth quarters.
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
He’s the toughest defensive matchup in the world, and Wembanyama’s game is already reaching elite levels. He’s averaging career highs in points (26.2) and rebounds (13.0) and leads the NBA in blocks (3.6) – which is 1.2 more than the next closest player. He has embraced efficiency and has been more selective with his 3-point shot. His handles are smoother, and he’s still only getting better.
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Once again, Jokić is averaging a triple-double, and, once again, he is making the Nuggets one of the best teams in the West. Take Denver’s victory over the Clippers Wednesday, Nov. 12: Jokić dropped 55 points and 12 boards, but the most impressive part about his start is the efficiency with which he’s playing. Over his last four games, he’s shooting an absurd 78.9% from the floor.
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
The biggest issue against Dončić is missing four games already. Otherwise, he has been stellar, averaging a ridiculous 34.9 points per game to go with 9.1 boards and 8.9 assists. Wednesday’s loss against the Thunder did set his numbers back, but that he has been carrying L.A. with LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined only bolsters his case. But, with the 65-game threshold for individual awards, Dončić needs to stay on the floor to win what would be his first MVP award.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
He remains the best transition player in the NBA, and the Bucks appear utterly lost without him. Milwaukee dropped its game Wednesday night against the Hornets with Antetokounmpo sidelined with a knee injury. The Bucks shot just 45.5% from the field and certainly missed Antetokounmpo’s 33.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.
