NBA MVP Power Rankings: Nikola Jokic drops, new name joins top two

2. Luka Doncic

Last week's rank: 3

Doncic finally rises in the NBA MVP Power Rankings, and it's hard to see him letting off the gas for the remainder of the season.

Luka Doncic once again puts up an amazing week of performances. However, he finally gets the recognition he deserves and jumps up one spot in this week's rankings after being ranked No. 3 last week.

After Christmas, it was clear Doncic should be in legit MVP talks for the remainder of the season. After a 50-point, 15 assists, four steals, and a three-block performance against the Phoenix Suns on Christmas, Doncic's name instantly jumped in MVP conversations.

NBA fans were finally aware of what Doncic has been doing all season long for Dallas. In his last five games, Doncic has scored over 38 points in four out of the five. The one game he didn't was a 28-point performance and a near triple-double.

The one thing holding Doncic back from winning the MVP award would be his team's record. The Mavericks are currently 18-12 but have recently been dropping games with the absence of Lively II and Kyrie Irving.

Despite the under-par record for an MVP, Doncic's performances could carry him to winning the award at the end of the season.

This week, the Mavericks' schedule will only get harder as they are playing the Cleveland Cavaliers and the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. Doncic will once again need to put the Mavericks on his back if they expect to win and if he wants to rise in the MVP rankings.