NBA MVP race remarkably close
As the end of the NBA season edges closer with less than a week to go, talks continue to intensify about the most impactful player in the league.
The race for the 2023 NBA MVP award is neck and neck, and three contestants, in particular, are fighting the most for the finish line.
Here are those three contestants and what they offer.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
The Joker claimed his 29th triple-double last Monday, and has been more than a significant cog for the Denver Nuggets to potentially clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference; a feat that the Nuggets would accomplish for the first time in franchise history.
Jokic nearly averages a triple-double with 24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game. He is shooting efficiently too, with a 63.4 field goal percentage.
With the kind of season that Jokic is having, one would think that he would irrefutably be the MVP. Mighty performances though by the other contenders on this list are giving Jokic a run for his money.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid has been so close to topping the MVP voting the last couple of seasons, and this year might just be the closest he’s been yet.
Embiid is rebounding from an injury–quite literally–as his absence during a loss last Monday to the Nuggets saw the 7-foot center douse the Dallas Mavericks with 25 points and nine rebounds just a few days later.
Embiid leads the NBA in points per game with 33 and is seventh in the league with 10.2 rebounds on average.
With the Philadelphia 76ers looking to make a stronger run this postseason, the key will be having Embiid healthy from his lingering calf injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo, like Jokic, is aiming for his third MVP award in his career. And the Greek Freak has a decent shot at beating Jokic to it pending some stellar performances down the stretch.
Last Wednesday, Antetokounmpo earned a significant milestone by becoming the fourth player all-time with 30 points or more, 15 rebounds or more and 10 assists or more in a career game according to NBA.com.
Antetokounmpo possesses eight performances with these stats and is in good company behind Jokic with nine, Wilt Chamberlain at 20 and Oscar Robertson claiming 29.
Looking at a per-game basis, Antetokounmpo is top five in the league in points at 31.1 and rebounds with 11.8; stats that have helped the Bucks to the top of the Eastern Conference with a mere lead over the Boston Celtics.
The aforementioned stats of Antetokounmpo spell for a strong case at MVP, but the Greek Freak would likely have to rely on sour play and injury plaguing Jokic and Embiid paired with incredible performances of his own to earn the award.
Jake Irwin is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jpi5089@psu.edu.
