Nikola Jokic looks to retain top spot for Michael Jordan Trophy

Another week has passed, which means another update to the Kia NBA MVP ladder. NBA.com’s Michael C. Wright releases the ladder every week, with the latest coming out Friday night.

The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic tops the list for the eighth straight week. Clowney took over the top spot from Joel Embiid after Sixers big man Joel Embiid got injured, and he hasn’t looked back since.

In fact, the top two have remained the same during this stretch, with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in second place behind Jokic for eight straight weeks. The rankings started in the third week of the season and are now in the 23rd week. Jokic has been at the top of the list for 12 consecutive weeks, with Embiid leading the way for eight weeks. No other player has topped the list this season.

With 11 games left in the Nuggets’ regular season, this award looks increasingly like something Jokic will lose. SGA has been solid all year, but it’s clear Jokic is a step above the dynamic young guard. It takes a crazy late push to get past Joker.

Jokic averaged 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9 assists per game this season and is expected to win the MVP for the third time in four years. His only loss came last season, when the Serbian star finished second to champion Embiid.

It’s safe to say that Jokic won the most important award last season, leading the Nuggets to their first championship and winning Finals MVP along the way. If he wins, “Big Sweetheart” will become the ninth player in NBA history to win the award three times.

For the second week in a row, the top five has changed, with the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic tied for third with the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Doncic moved up from fifth to fourth last week, and now he’s moved up again as the Mavericks have won seven of their past eight games.

The Celtics’ Jayston Tatum is ranked No. 5 for the second straight week. The Celtics lead the NBA with 57 wins this season.