NBA MVP Power Rankings: Giannis Antetokounmpo falls, new player joins top five

The Dallas Mavericks recently played the Portland Trailblazers on Friday. The Mavericks took care of business throughout the fourth quarter, but it came to the cost of superstar Kyrie Irving.

Thankfully it seems Irving may have avoided a series injury, but there is no timetable for his return.

Despite the loss of Irving, the Mavericks took care of business throughout large periods of Friday's game. Behind the play of Luka Doncic and multiple other Mavericks who stepped up in a massive way.

NBA MVP Power Rankings: Giannis Antetokounmpo falls, new player joins top five

Mavericks point guard Dante Exum had the game of his life. In his second-highest-scoring game of his career, Exum would drop 23 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Exum amazingly only had one turnover in his second start with the Mavs.

All night long, Exum was able to dissect the Blazers' defense with his speed and athleticism. He had multiple points inside the paint simply by taking defenders off the dribble and daring the center to step up on him. Without Exum's contribution, the Mavs likely wouldn't have one their 13th game of the season.

In addition to Exum, other Mavericks had great games. Off the bench, Tim Hardaway Jr. would contribute 20 points on efficient shooting. Defensively, Hardaway Jr. continued to showcase his charge-taking ability. He had three charges drawn after the first half and made it hard for multiple Blazer players to drive inside.

Luka Doncic continued to showcase why he's a top 3 MVP candidate. He dropped 32 points and ten assists while leading the Mavericks all night in the win over the Trail Blazers. With Doncic's miraculous week of basketball, let's check in and see this week's MVP Power Rankings list.

10. LeBron James

Last week's rank: N/A

It's amazing to say that the oldest player in the NBA is now an MVP candidate. With LeBron's leadership and amazing play, he led the Lakers to the first-ever In-Season Tournament Championship and dominated in every game.

9. De'Aaron Fox

Last week's rank: N/A

Fox has the numbers to be a top-five MVP candidate but doesn't have the games played to be so. Despite a few early Injuries, Fox has played amazing all year long.

8. Jayson Tatum

Last week's rank: 7

It's hard to see the best player on the best team be eighth in the rankings, but that's the world we live in. Tatum continues to play amazingly all year long. He has even led the Boston Celtics to the best record in the NBA.

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Last week's rank: 5

Giannis is deserving of a top-five spot after putting up career-best numbers around the board. He drops due to his team's embarrassing play in the semi-finals of the In-Season Tournament.

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last week's ranking: 4

Another candidate deserving of a top-five spot in the MVP list. He is shooting a career-best from the field and has led the Thunder to one of the top records in the Western Conference. Despite Shai's play on the court, the five names ahead of him had better weeks.