NBA MVP Power Rankings: Jayson Tatum falls, new name jumps into top five

On Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks took on the Oklahoma City Thunder and lost 126-120. The Mavericks made a historic effort to come back and make this a game, but down the stretch, they lost the juice to close it out.

At one point, the Mavericks were on a franchise-high 30-0 run, which got them back in the game and a lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Absence of Kyrie Irving could have contributed to the Mavs being stale on offense throughout the game. He would miss the game and potentially more time after suffering a foot injury in the Mavericks' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

NBA MVP Power Rankings: Jayson Tatum falls, new name jumps into top five

Another Maverick that failed to suit up was sixth man Tim Hardaway Jr. He has missed a few games with a back injury. Had he been available in the game against the Thunder, the final score could have been reversed.

The Mavericks have now failed to secure a win in their last two games, and it couldn't come at a worse time as they have been battling the injury bug the last few weeks. To pour more salt into the wounds of Mavs fans, the schedule will only get tougher as the winter months carry on.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will not only need to stay healthy but play some of their best basketball if the Mavericks wish to not tread water.

Despite the lackluster start to December, Doncic has continued to make his MVP case strong. Let's take a look around the league at this week's MVP Power Rankings.

10. Bam Adebayo

Last week's rank: N/A

Adebayo has continued to have a career year by leading the Miami Heat this season. He has not looked like an MVP candidate but also a DPOY candidate. The Heat's season is only getting hotter as the season grows older; expect Adebayo to rise on this list.

9. Kevin Durant

Last week's rank: N/A

The Phoenix Suns have rebounded after a slow start, in large part due to Kevin Durant's play on the court. He, along with Devin Booker, has led the Suns to some huge wins over great teams.

8. Anthony Edwards

Last week's rank: N/A

Edwards was once in the top five after leading the Timberwolves to one of the league's best records. The Wolves still hold one of the NBA's best records, but Edwards has dropped off in production.

7. Jayson Tatum

Last week's rank: 5

Tatum and the Celtics still hold the league's best record, but they are skimming by. After losing to the Pacers last night, it was clear that they have some holes. Tatum is still one of the best players in the NBA but has looked stale in the last few games.

6. Tyrese Haliburton

Last week's rank: NA

Haliburton and the Pacers have gone off the last few games. Beating the Celtics in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals was the icing on the cake. Expect to see more of Haliburton if he continues to play at this rate.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Last week's rank: N/A

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are rolling in the Eastern Conference. 8-2 in their last 10 games and some massive blowout wins over the last week.

The play of Damien Lillard and Giannis has been a huge factor in why the Bucks have played so well. The two have finally found a formula for winning, with both of them playing so well off of each other.

Averaging 30 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, Giannis has led the Bucks to a 14-6 record. Giannis has dominated in almost every facet of the game. As of right now, Giannis would be shooting a career-high from the field at 60 percent.

Despite being so efficient in the field, Giannis has shot horribly from behind the arc. This shouldn't be alarming for fans though, as Lillard and other Milwaukee players have taken the bulk of the shots from behind the three-point line.

Having strong floor spacing for a player like Giannis is critical, as he thrives in one-on-one spacing. He has always done an amazing job of taking his man off the dribble and using his strength and athleticism to get to the basket.

Defensively, Giannis has been on a tear with one and a half blocks and steals per game. The former DPOY has become one of the Bucks' defensive anchors alongside Brook Lopez.

A huge question mark surrounding the Bucks entering this season was their defensive depth. 20 games in, Giannis has squashed any doubters of his defensive capabilities. As we inch closer to Christmas, expect Giannis' name to rise on this list.

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last week's rank: 4

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains at four with the Thunder hot streak continuing.

The former 2018 draft pick is having yet another career year with 29 points, five rebounds, and six assists per game. Shai has not only increased his production but also his leadership over the summer.

He has easily become one of the biggest stars in the league and proves it night in and out. In a game against the Dallas Mavericks, Shai struggled all night long but found a way to make a difference on the defensive end.

Shai finished the game with five total steals, including the game-securing steal off of an inbound pass. His offensive dominance has been clear for multiple years, but his defensive numbers must not be overlooked.

Despite Shai's sloppy performance in Dallas, he has dominated all week, putting multiple 30-point performances together. He is turning into one of the best players in the NBA, and is putting the league

Shai has not only looked like a potential MVP candidate but also a DPOY candidate. He's averaging a league-high 2.5 steals per contest. With numbers like this, it's hard to deny the effect Shai has around the league.

If the Thunder continue to win, Shai could find himself in the top three of the rankings eventually.

3. Luka Doncic

Last week's rank: 3

Luka Doncic has continued to amaze fans all year long, and it's no different this week, as he will stay at three.

Earlier this week, Doncic became the father of a baby girl. He would only miss one game after the birth of his daughter.

Despite missing one game, Doncic had a masterclass game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He became one of two players in NBA history to put up a stat line of 35/15/15. The great Oscar Robinson was the only other player to do this in a game.

He would also lead the Mavericks on a historic 30-0 run to give them a chance against the Thunder. Without Doncic playing, the Mavericks would have never stood a chance in this contest.

In a game against the Houston Rockets, Doncic would lead the Mavs with a game-high 41 points. He would lead the Mavericks to a massive win over the Rockets and took over in the fourth quarter. He even hit an insane hook shot to take the lead late in the fourth.

Doncic and the Mavericks still have a lot of work to do this season, but Doncic has looked like the clear number one on this team. The Mavericks' schedule will only get tougher as the season gets older, so it will be important that Doncic stays healthy.

2. Joel Embiid

Last week's rank: 2

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have dominated all season long and it's no different this week. Embiid will stay at number two with his masterclass play.

The last week has treated Embiid well, as the Sixers haven't played in three days now. With the knock-out stages taking place for the NBA's In-Season Tournament, it has given teams that didn't advance a much-needed rest.

Embiid and the Sixers are no exception. Despite advancing in the In-Season Tournament, the Sixers have played great. The last two games that Embiid has played in have both been wins. This includes a blowout win against the Los Angeles Lakers, where Embiid dropped a 30-point triple-double.

Embiid hasn't failed to hit 20 points in a game once this year. This is something that could change as the season goes along, but this is a crazy stat considering everything the Sixers have gone through this season.

Going forward, it will be critical that Embiid stay healthy as he missed the Sixers last game against the Boston Celtics. If he and Maxey can continue staying healthy and keep growing their chemistry together, this is a team that will be a force in the playoffs.

Over the next week, the Sixers' schedule will get much easier as they will have two games against the Washington Wizards and two games against the Detroit Pistons. These are arguably two of the worst teams in the NBA.

1. Nikola Jokic

Last week's rank: 1

Nothing changes in this week's rankings, as Nikola Jokic will stay at No. 1 spot.

The Denver Nuggets finally got things back on track by winning four of their last five games. Jokic has been no exception, as he has been the team's leader all year long.

Jokic hasn't disappointed all year long and hasn't lost his No. 1 spot once this season. He has put up crazy stat lines in pretty much every game he has played in.

In a game against the Suns, Jokic managed to only score 21 points but gifted 16 assists. He simply chooses when he wants to pass the rock or become an absolute show-stopper on offense. He never fails to give NBA fans a bit of magic every night.

Jokic leads the league in triple-doubles and looks effortless in doing so. Despite the loss to the Kings, Jokic dropped a triple-double and nearly became the third player in NBA history to have a 35-15-15 stat line.

Jokic has been the clear number-one player this season, and there has been no debate. Things could shake up as the season gets older, but Jokic could become a rare three-time MVP winner.

Over the next week, the Nuggets' schedule will get tougher as they have a game against the LA Clippers. Jokic will once again need to have a spectacular week to keep the Nuggets hot streak going.

The Dallas Mavericks will play the Utah Jazz tomorrow night. For more updates on Mavericks basketball, stay plugged in.