The NBA MVP race is heating up as the playoffs near, with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić as the two clear-cut favorites. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes Jokić is nowhere near Gilgeous-Alexander in the race despite averaging more rebounds and assists per game.

With roughly five weeks remaining in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the race for MVP is still up in the air. Barring injury, it's a two-man race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, but there are a lot of interesting debates to be hard for the positioning of players behind them.

The two most recent NBA champions are playing well enough to reach the finals, and as we saw Sunday, it would be a compelling matchup.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton attended a Denver Nuggets game and caught up with NBA coach Michael Malone before the Nuggets defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-116 on the road. Denver star center Nikola Jokić had another impressive performance with 19 assists in the win.

All-world NBA superstar Nikola Jokic was once drafted during a Taco Bell commercial, and he hasn't forgotten about it since.

Nikola Jokić moves ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the top of the mix in an MVP Ladder filled with changes.

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The just-turned 30-year-old technically sits fourth in the NBA in 3-point accuracy (44.9 percent), three slots behind Memphis Grizzlies marksman Luke Kennard (47.6 percent). But remember, Jokić’s full-court shots occur often — and they arrive with a certificate of authenticity.

Star center Nikola Jokić, who is averaging a triple-double this season, has helped the Denver Nuggets win 18 of their past 23 games.

Nikola Jokić has long been considered one of the most unique players in NBA history and this season has been solidifying his status as a game-changer.

Jalen Williams scored 24 for Oklahoma City but no other starter had more than 11. Gilgeous-Alexander made 18 of his 30 shots including 5 of 9 from 3, and he was 10 for 10 from the free-throw line. He added seven assists, five rebounds plus a steal and a block in the 137-128 victory.

Myles Turner led Indiana with 23 points in the loss, which dropped them to 32-24 on the season. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 19 points and 15 assists, and Pascal Siakam finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.