NBA MVP Power Rankings: Where does Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic rank?

The NBA season has officially tipped off its 2023-24 regular season. Just weeks into the season and fans have already seen some huge fireworks.

With the Dallas Mavericks' 144-126 win over the LA Clippers, this would officially mark a 7-2 record to begin the season. Led by superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs would easily dismantle their Western Conference rivals.

Off the bench, sixth man Tim Hardaway Jr. would lead all bench scores with 17 points on efficient numbers from the field. Additionally, rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper would earn his first career points and a thoughtful gift from Doncic.

NBA MVP Power Rankings: Where does Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic rank?

Doncic and Irving didn't miss a beat in the win. Irving would prove costly for the Clippers' defense as he would easily knife through any defensive coverage on the way to a 27-point night. However, nobody even touched Doncic's scorching realm. With 44 points, six rebounds, and six assists, Doncic would go on to have yet another career night against the Clippers.

Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum would cap off an amazing win with great performances off the bench. Exum was even praised by head coach Jason Kidd for his ability to push the ball in transition and keep the offensive flow moving when both Irving and Doncic were on the bench. Exum would finish with eight points off the bench and Hardy would tack on 11 more in the winning effort.

After such an amazing win for the Mavericks and a spectacular performance out of Doncic, it's clear that both the Mavs and Doncic deserve to have their name recognized. Even a few weeks into the season, it's clear to see who the MVP favorites are, but where does Doncic rank amongst the league's best?

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has begun the season like no other. Just this past season, many fans didn't even know his name. Quickly, Shai has not only become a household name but also a top 5-10 NBA player.

Many NBA fans expected the young guard to take an even higher leap after his Second Team All-NBA award this previous season. Through nine games, Shai has lived up to expectations putting up similar numbers he did last season.

At 29 points, seven rebounds, and over two steals per game, it's hard not to enjoy Shai's craft nine games into the season.

If it weren't for a 5-4 start, you could make an argument that Shai should be higher on this list with the start he has had to the year. However, through nine games, he has left no doubt for OKC fans.

There is room for improvement for the young Thunder guard, and it starts with his team's record. If the Thunder can get back on track and play like fans expected them to play before the season, Shai will rise the rankings and could be a dark horse MVP candidate.

4. Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum hasn't missed a beat to begin the season. With 27.5 points per game, nine rebounds, and a steal per game, it's hard not to like Tatum's MVP odds. We still are so early in the season, but with a 7-2 record, Tatum fits the bill of a future MVP.

Through nine games, Tatum leads the Boston Celtics in three of the five major categories. Points, rebounds, and steals. Even if it's early, it's clear that Tatum's effect on the Celtics is positive. In fact, the Celtics' struggles this season have come when Tatum is on the bench. This is a characteristic of a winning player.

With Tatum's partner in crime, Jaylen Brown struggling to begin the season, it's been a need for Tatum's great play. Tatum has had an effective field goal percentage of 52 percent. Additionally, he shoots almost 40 percent from behind the arc.

Tatum has a long way to go before he reaches the echelon of an Embiid or Jokic, but if he finishes with a better record than those two, then he very well could make a strong case for MVP. Tatum, by far has the least impressive numbers on this list, but he does hold the argument for a winning team.

With the Celtics projected to win the East, this could carry Tatum's MVP debate. Through nine games, a 7-2 record lives up to expectations, which is why he lands at number four in this rendition of MVP rankings.

3. Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic has opened the season with a blazing performance after another blazing performance, he just can't seem to cool down. With Doncic's masterclass performances, he has led the Mavericks to a 7-2 start, the team's best start in over a decade.

Currently, the team holds second place in the Western Conference, and it's all in large part to Doncic and other Mavs role players. In fact, six Mavericks have led the entire league in the clutch plus-minus stat to begin the season.

Doncic has already made a strong push for MVP, and this could finally be the year he wins the prestigious award. With 33 points per game, nine rebounds, and eight and a half assists per game, it's clear Doncic has become a front-runner for many fans' MVP debate.

Additionally, Doncic adds a steal per game for the Mavericks, and in 36 minutes, this has become a plus for the team. Historically, Doncic has struggled on defense, but this season, it's been the opposite. Doncic has not only bought in on the defensive end but he's looked good doing it.

Calling Doncic a plus defender is a far fetch, but any attention from Doncic on the defensive end is a plus for the Mavs.

Doncic has the numbers to become Dallas' second-ever MVP, but can the team continue to exceed expectations? If Dallas exceeds expectations and becomes a top-six or even a top-four seed come playoff time, it would be hard not to see Doncic win MVP. In the meantime, Doncic will sit comfortably at three in this week's MVP power rankings.

2. Joel Embiid

The reigning MVP proves time after time why he deserves to win MVP once again. Joel Embiid has looked amazing to begin the season, before and after the James Harden debacle that took the spotlight.

Many fans expected Embiid to take a step back after Harden essentially removed himself from the team. However, Embiid has become that much better. Averaging a double-double with 33 points and 11 and a half boards per game, Embiid looks like a guy proving the naysayers wrong.

However, Embiid hasn't vaulted the Sixers to a 7-1 record by himself. With Tyrese Maxey's breakout season, he has helped Embiid and the Sixers to be in first place in the Eastern Conference. Maxey has filled in nicely for Harden, and many fans would argue he looks better in the process.

Recently, Embiid and the Sixers took down the Boston Celtics in an amazing Eastern Conference clash that will go down in history. Coming out on top of other MVP candidates and proving that the Sixers can be contending only further makes Embiid's case for MVP deeper.

Embiid will look to become one of the rare back-to-back MVP's. If he is to do so, Embiid will undoubtedly become one of the best centers in the history of the NBA.

1. Nikola Jokic

The former two-time MVP and reigning NBA Champion Nikola Jokic looks every bit of the future MVP to begin the season. Many fans projected Jokic to win this year's MVP award, and so far, he has fit every mold fans and critics expected him to be.

Beginning the season with an 8-1 record proves just how dominant Jokic and the Nuggets have been. Many expected the Nuggets to struggle out of the gate with the loss of Bruce Brown during the offseason. However, this has not only fueled Denver, but they somehow look even better than they did winning the championship.

Against the Mavericks, Jokic would dominate in every category and seemingly never missed. This is only one small sample size of what Jokic has been doing the past few seasons.

Averaging a double-double with 29 points per game and 13 rebounds has become a common sight for Jokic. With an 8-1 record and numbers like this to begin the season, Jokic has become a heavy favorite to win the MVP award just three weeks into the regular season.

Jokic and the Nuggets will look to continue their dominance. If Jokic is to continue producing numbers like this, he would make a strong case for winning the MVP award which is why he is sitting at one. Additionally, if the Nuggets continue to win at this rate, they could very well be a 65-plus-win team, which would be a franchise record.

The Dallas Mavericks will face Jokic on December 18. This will be their first matchup together since the Nuggets dismantled the Mavs just a few weeks ago. For more updates on Mavericks basketball and MVP odds, stay plugged in every day.