NBA MVP Power Rankings: Luka Doncic rises after 73-point performance, who falls?

2. Nikola Jokic

Last week's rank: 2

Despite remaining in second place, Nikola Jokic has shined in the games he has played in. It seems like Jokic is buying his time against Joel Embiid in the MVP hunt.

Jokic has dominated in January. He's led his Denver Nuggets to a 10-4 record and has averaged two assists shy of a triple-double through the month. Their only marquee losses were a nearly 40-point blowout loss to the New York Knicks earlier this week and a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Behind Jokic, the Nuggets have reclaimed their spot as one of the teams to beat in the west and have only lost to one Western Conference opponent in the last 14 games. However, just last night, they reclaimed themselves against the Sixers with a six-point victory in Denver.

In the win over Philly, Jokic dominated with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Jokic benefitted from the absence of the former MVP, Joel Embiid. Embiid has yet to play a game in Denver in over four years, and it was no different this year as he was out due to a sore knee.

Despite Jokic dominating in January, his only hope for winning the MVP award could be Embiid falling out of the race due to too many games missed. The former MVP is now six games shy of losing the ability to compete for any award in this NBA season.