The Kia NBA MVP chase is going down to the wire. With multiple players still in the mix for the award, keep track of the most recent performances from the top candidates before the next Kia MVP Ladder update on Friday.
Latest performances from top Kia MVP candidates:
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Latest MVP Ladder ranking: No. 1
Remaining schedule: 8 games (4 home / 4 road)
Next game: Bucks at 76ers (Tuesday, 7 ET; NBA League Pass)
Joel Embiid drops 37 points and 15 rebounds on the Suns.
• Season stats | Video box scores
Latest performance: After dropping a 27-10 on the Clippers’ head in a 122-97 victory, Embiid did his utmost to deliver Philadelphia a landmark win over the league-best Suns on Sunday. His 37 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks weren’t enough to accomplish the team goal in the Sixers’ 114-104 loss, but certainly helped both his MVP case and pursuit of the the regular-season scoring title. Next up is another nationally televised litmus test against the Milwaukee Bucks.
How did Joel get this to go?
He’s up to 15 early in Phoenix.
Watch on League Pass: https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa pic.twitter.com/2lPFmsMwOY
— NBA (@NBA) March 27, 2022
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Latest MVP Ladder ranking: No. 2
Remaining schedule: 7 games (4 home / 3 road)
Next game: Thunder at Hornets (Monday, 7 ET; NBA League Pass)
Jokic puts up 35 and 12 in Nuggets’ win
• Season stats | Video box scores
Latest performance: Jokic was dominant in Saturday’s 113-107 win over the Thunder, scoring 35 points on 13-for-15 shooting from the field. The Nuggets’ big man also grabbed 12 rebounds and handed out eight assists with a pair of blocks as Denver avoided a loss that would have dropped them into the Play-In territory. After struggling in the Nuggets’ previous matchup with OKC (in which he scored just 22 while facing double- and triple-teams), Jokic was locked in Saturday, making all six of his shots from the floor and all six of his free throws in the second half as Denver held off the pesky Thunder.
Nikola Jokic tonight:
35 PTS
12 REB
8 AST
13-15 FGHe is the 2nd player in NBA history with 3+ career 35/10/5 games on 85% shooting. The other was Wilt Chamberlain. pic.twitter.com/J3qkSbtPkL
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 27, 2022
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Latest MVP Ladder ranking: No. 3
Remaining schedule: 8 games (3 home / 5 road)
Next game: Bucks at 76ers (Tuesday, 7 ET; NBA League Pass)
Giannis puts up 30 in 25-point loss in Memphis
• Season stats | Video box scores
Latest performance: Antetokounmpo entered Saturday’s contest questionable with a sore right knee, but his return to the lineup wasn’t enough as Milwaukee got blown out, 127-102, in Memphis. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 30 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, scoring 18 points in the third quarter when Milwaukee tried to make a run. Giannis was 11-for-20 from the field, respectable numbers after he struggled in the first half, making just 3 of 11 shots. The Greek Freak missed his only 3-point attempt as Milwaukee fell into a tie with Boston for 3rd in the Eastern Conference.
Another 30 point night for Giannis (in 28 minutes).
Rinse. Repeat. MVP.
🎰 @paysbig pic.twitter.com/QF2aAGbXy7
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 27, 2022