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OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops to No. 3 in NBA MVP Ladder

justin martinez, the oklahoman
·3 min read

OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped to third in NBA.com's MVP ladder, which updated Friday.

Gilgeous-Alexander only played in two of OKC's four games this past week due to a quad injury. The sixth-year guard averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

Here's a complete look at the MVP ladder:

More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander caps OKC Thunder rally vs Knicks to clinch NBA Playoff berth

Where is OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA MVP ladder?

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week's rankings: No. 1

Season stats: 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and nine assists

Jokic averaged 27.3 points, 12 rebounds and 9.8 assists in four games this past week for Denver (52-23), which went 2-2.

Jokic hasn't loosened his grip on the top spot. The ninth-year center continues to stuff the stat sheet as he looks to secure his third MVP.

More: Here's how the OKC Thunder's 2023-24 season is projected to play out

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last week's rankings: Tied for No. 3

Season stats: 34 points, 9.8 assists and 9.1 rebounds

Doncic averaged 32.5 points, 11 rebounds and 9.5 assists in four games this past week for Dallas (45-29), which went 4-0.

Doncic surpassed Gilgeous-Alexander for the second spot in the MVP ladder, and it isn't hard to see why. He's the star player for a Dallas team that's on a seven-game winning streak.

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3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder

Last week's rankings: No. 2

Season stats: 30.3 points, 6.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds

Gilgeous-Alexander played in two of the four games this past week for OKC (52-22), which went 3-1. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

Despite missing time, Gilgeous-Alexander returned in grand fashion on Sunday. He hit a game-winning shot to lift OKC past New York on the road.

More: Suns' Frank Vogel calls out Thunder's Lu Dort for 'ridiculous' flopping. NBA disagrees.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week's rankings: Tied for No. 3

Season stats: 30.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists

Antetokounmpo averaged 33.3 points, 17 rebounds and 6.8 assists in three games this past week for Milwaukee (47-27), which went 1-2.

The Bucks got off to a hot start after the All-Star break, although they've cooled off as of late. But Antetokounmpo continues to deliver video game stats, and he's shooting a career-high 61.4% from the floor.

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5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week's rankings: No. 5

Season stats: 27.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists

Tatum averaged 30.3 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in three games this past week for Boston (58-16), which went 1-2.

Despite snapping a seven-game winning streak with a pair of losses to Atlanta, Boston still boasts the best record in the NBA. That's enough to keep Tatum in the MVP conversation.

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The next five

6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (No. 6 last week)

7. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (No. 8 last week)

8. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (No. 9 last week)

9. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (not ranked last week)

10. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (No. 7 last week)

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops to No. 3 in NBA MVP Ladder