With that said, here are the top five candidates for the NBA MVP after Week 5 in the league, as per Lineups’ Andrew Norton.
Top 5 candidates for NBA MVP after Week 5
#5. Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic is a top performer for the Dallas Mavericks in his sixth season. Doncic has a 10-6 record and averages 30.5 points (48.7% shooting, 39.4% from 3-point range), 7.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. The Mavericks are fifth in the West.
Doncic has been an MVP candidate each season due to his scoring, rebounding, and assisting skills.
#4. Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid has guided the 76ers to fourth in the Eastern Conference without James Harden. The 2023 NBA MVP is still active in his seventh season, averaging 32.0 ppg (49.8% shooting, 31.5% from 3-point range), 11.3 rpg, and 6.6 apg.Although his 3-point shooting efficiency is down from last year, the big man remаins a force down low with few defenders capable of challenging him. His rim protection and space defense remain.
#3. Jayson Tatum
The four-time NBA All-standout Boston Celtics standout Jayson Tatum is third after another strong season. Tatum improves every year in the league. He has diversified his offense by posting up more instead of relying on his 3-point shot and pick-and-roll penetratiоn.
The Celtics are first in the Eastern Conference thanks to the result. Tatum is averaging 28.1 ppg (49.4% shooting, 36.7% from 3-point range), 8.9 rpg, and 4.1 apg in his sixth season.
#2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
In his fifth season with the OKC Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 30.4 ppg (53.4% shooting, 36.4% from 3-point range), 6.1 rpg, and 6.2 apg.
This season, the Thunder guard has impressed the league with his scoring and point guard defense.
Thunder are second in Western Conference with 11-5 record. In second place, Gilgeous-Alexander’s two-way ability has propelled him up the rankings.
#1. Nikola Jokic
After winning the 2023 NBA title, Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets center, has shown no signs of slowing down. The elite big averages 28.8 ppg (56.8% shooting, 31.1% from 3-point range), 13.4 rpg, and 8.9 apg.The Nuggets big man has played well without Jamal Murray (hamstring ιnjury) to maintain the team in third place in the Western Conference.