NBA MVP Power Rankings: Kings' Sabonis surges into top 5 after strong showing

5. Domantas Sabonis

Last rank: 6

Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings are rolling despite only being sixth in the Western Conference. The Kings have now won four out of their last five and only seem to be getting better.

Sabonis has become the double-double machine and is currently on an insane streak of 47 double-doubles in a row. It makes that streak even more crazy when you consider that Sabonis missed out on the All-Star game this season.

Additionally, Sabonis has emerged as the league's best rebounder this season. Sabonis is currently averaging 13.6 rebounds per game and has had multiple games of 25 plus rebounds since the All-Star break.

Being snubbed from the All-Star Game has seemingly filled the forward's motivation to prove the voters wrong. He has led the Kings to the sixth seed and one of the frontrunners in the play-in race.

Sabonis' leadership has kept the Kings afloat all season despite having multiple stretches of injuries to star players. Sacramento guard De'Aaron Fox has missed multiple games with nagging injuries and in those stretches of games, Sabonis has rallied the Kings to multiple wins.

The debate about who is the leader of the Kings has seemingly disappeared throughout this season and it's due to Sabonis' leadership and consistent availability. Sabonis has yet to miss a game for the 2023-24 NBA season yet he has suffered multiple injuries.

Having an Iron Man player like Sabonis is critical for any franchise that wishes to win a championship. The Kings will play the New York Knicks next for a chance to win three in a row.