Joel Embiid scored 51 points to add 30 points and 10 rebounds for the 12th straight game in the win over the Timberwolves.
This week's stage is for the international players who occupy the top five.
Yes, the leaderboard before the holidays is the same as last week. But if the actual vote turns out in the spring, it would mark the first time in NBA history that the top five races are all from foreign countries.
We haven't seen an American-born MVP (James Harden) since the 2017-18 season, and the current standings make one wonder what would happen if the league held a U.S.-World game.
The world's likely starting five players are all in the top five of the Kia Race to MVP Ladder.
One statistic to know: 843 to 819 – This is the minutes scored by ladder leader Joel Embiid, who has the potential to become the first player since Wilt Chamberlain (1961-62, who scored 4,029 points in 3,882 minutes) to score more than game time at the end of the season.
They mean: "I took what was given to me. Embiid, who scored 51 points in Wednesday's win over Minnesota.
Now, the top 5 in the 2023-24 KIA MVP battle.
1.Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers.
Last week's ranking: No. 1.
Season stats: 35 per game1 point, 118 rebounds, 59 assists.
His case: Embiid has possessed possession on the last two Wednesdays, leading Detroit to a 41-point double-double last week and a season-high 51 points against the Timberwolves seven days later. The reigning MVP has scored over 40 points in 5 of his last 40 games.
Embiid also scored more than 30 points and grabbed more than 10 rebounds in 12 straight games, the most since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1972).
2.Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets.
Last week's ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 26 per game5 points, 124 rebounds, 93 assists.
His case: The two-time MVP didn't finish second in the limelight, which is probably his preferred position, and he has quietly led Denver to five wins in his last six games. Jokic finished with 31 points, 15 rebounds and leads the NBA with 24 double-doubles.
The team's three-game road trip will continue in Brooklyn on Friday (7:30 ET, NBA TV), followed by Saturday in Charlotte (7:30 ET, NBA League Pass).
3.Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks.
Last week's ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 30 per game9 points, 110 rebounds, 54 assists.
His case: Antetokounmpo scored 37 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks against Orlando on Thursday to keep Milwaukee undefeated in six games at home.
It was Antetokounmpo's 226th career 30-point score, second in the last 10 years behind Harden (267 30-point games). The upcoming four road trips begin on Saturday, with the first back-to-back road game against the Knicks (12:30 ET, NBA TV), which includes Monday's Christmas showdown (12:30 ET, ESPN).
4.Shay Kyrgyz-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder.
Last week's ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 30 per game7 points, 58 rebounds, 63 assists.
His case: On Thursday, Gilgeous-Alexander ended the Los Angeles Clippers' nine-game winning streak with 30 points in his 18th game of the season, including 14 in the third quarter, while the Thunder dropped 45 points in this game.
Threw 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 4 steals to tie the bow tie for the all-around gem. The Thunder have a 2-0 record in their current five home games and will face the Lakers on Saturday (NBA League Pass on the 8th).
5.Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks.
Last week's ranking: 5th place.
Season stats: 32 per game7 points, 84 rebounds, 91 assist.
His case: Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time this season on Monday, but the Mavericks have lost three of their last four games. Doncic is almost unstoppable, averaging 36 games per game in his last 10 games2 points, 93 rebounds and 112 assists.
Fasten your seatbelts and pick up an extra Christmas gift on Monday when Doncic and the Mavericks take on Devin Booker and the Suns (10:30 ET, ESPN) in what should be another classic matchup.
The next five.
6.Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (last week: No. 6).
7.Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (last week: No. 7).
8.Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (last week: unranked).
9.Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (last week: unranked).
10.Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (last week: unranked).
There are five other teams (in alphabetical order): DE'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings;LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers;Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks;Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers;Carl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves.