Kia MVP Ladder: Historic feat puts LeBron James back in the top 10

Get ready for the week Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James became the first player to reach 39,000 career points with a 3-pointer in Tuesday’s 131-99 victory over the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Group A of the NBA in-season tournament.

The win ensured home-court advantage for the Lakers in the tournament quarterfinals.

James turns 39 next month and he follows up on that milestone heavy loss Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Still, the 21-year-old veteran has led several league mainstays back into the top 10 in the Kia MVP race.

We know it’s only a matter of time.

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Stat you need to know: 57.8% — Even when James shot just 47.4% against Dallas, that’s James’ shooting percentage. If this continues throughout the season, the four-time MVP will have a career-high shooting percentage at age 39.

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Another stat to know: 73.3% — In Season 21, LeBron James posted career bests in effective field goal percentage (65.1%) and true shooting percentage (66.9%). That success lies both in outside shooting and in finishing in the paint.

James’ three-point shooting percentage is a career-high 41.4%. But his shooting inside is still more valuable, as he also shot a career-high 73.3% inside. (His previous best shooting percentage in the paint was 72.9 percent in 2013-14.) His shooting percentage in the paint (53 percent) was also his highest since his first season with the Lakers.

LeBron James’ shooting performance in six seasons with the Lakers

#advanceampadstable0#

%FGA = % of total field goals attempted
* Career high score
**Career lowest score
As of November 22, 2023

— John Schumann

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What are they saying: “I think he should be in the MVP race because he’s 38 years old. Who do you know that’s 38 years old and still doing what he does?” – Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Wood

Now, Top 5 in the 2023-24 Kia ​​MVP race.

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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s rankings: number 1

Season data: Averaged 27.5 points, 13.1 rebounds, 8.9 assists per game

His case: The two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP was ejected in Detroit on Monday, two days after recording his sixth triple-double in Orlando.

Still, losing three of the final four games on Denver’s current five-game road trip would jeopardize Jokic’s status. So he’ll need to face rising star Alperen Sengun, who just had a season-high three blocks in a win over Memphis, on Friday in Houston (8 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).

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2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s rankings: number 2

Season data: Averaged 30.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists per game

His case: Leave it to Doncic and the Mavericks to deliver an early Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday with a thrilling win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 24-year-old finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight points, including one shot directly between James’ legs.

Dallas, which opened up a 20-point lead over the Lakers, faces the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV) in what will be the second night of a back-to-back.

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3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Last week’s rankings: third place

Season data: Averaged 31.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists per game

His case: The NBA scoring leader missed Wednesday’s first game of the season in Minnesota, but the 29-year-old should be well-rested for Saturday’s game against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder (U.S. 5 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).

The reigning MVP, who has scored 32 points in each of the past three games, was sidelined by left hip soreness that has lingered for more than a week. Embiid remains among the leaders in double-doubles (10).

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4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s rankings: Number 5

Season data: Averaged 30.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game

His case: Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the young Thunder are riding a league-best six-game winning streak thanks to the 25-year-old scoring his third 40-point game of the season on Wednesday, including Including a season-high 12 assists.

So far, 13 of 14 games have scored more than 20 points, and 9 games have scored more than 30 points. He’s also made the most of every opportunity, making 42 of 43 free throw attempts in the past five games.

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5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s rankings: No 4

Season data: Averaged 27.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists per game

His case: The 25-year-old scored his 5,000th career point at TD Garden, joining Celtics greats Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker as the only three players to achieve the feat.

After scoring a season-high 45 points in Monday’s loss to Charlotte, Tatum was listed as questionable Wednesday due to illness. He shook it off with a 23-point, 11-rebound performance to help Boston snap Milwaukee’s five-game winning streak.

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The next five:

6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week: 6th)
7. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Last week: 7th)
8. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week: Unranked)
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (Last week: Unranked)
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (Last week: Unranked)

There are five more (listed alphabetically): Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers; Domantas Sabonis , Sacramento Kings.

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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer at NBA.com.You can email him and find his profile here here and follow him Twitter.

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