NBA MVP Power Rankings: Haliburton and Durant drop, who takes their place?

The Dallas Mavericks recently played the Portland Trail Blazers in the first of two road games. They would go on to wrangle the Trailblazers in a 131-120 win. It took a Luka Doncic 40-point triple-double to beat the Blazers for a second go around.

With the win, the Mavericks improved to 16-9 and kept their third spot in the Western Conference. It will be critical the Mavericks win as many games as they can after a slew of injuries.

With the help of some key bench players, this injury bug could leave the Mavericks better off than fans initially thought. Both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dante Exum have stepped up in a massive way for the Mavs.

NBA MVP Power Rankings: Haliburton and Durant drop, who takes their place?

Hardaway Jr. has elevated his play so much that he is now being considered one of the best Sixth Man of The Year candidates. Off the bench, Hardaway Jr. has had a massive role and oftentimes leads the Mavs in scoring off the bench.

With the absence of Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum has been asked to step up into a starting role. Exum has not only stepped up but he's become one of the Mavericks' best players moving forward. The former fifth-overall pick has finally found a home in Dallas.

However, one explanation for this sudden blow-up of bench players can be the play of superstar Luka Doncic. Doncic has stamped his name on every game he's played in. It almost seems like Doncic is breaking a new record every time he has touched the court.

With this in mind, things have shaken up in this week's NBA MVP Power Rankings. Let's take a look at this week's top ten.

10. LeBron James

Last weeks rank: 10

James keeps his top ten spot in this week's list. Despite not playing in the loss vs the Spurs, James has found a way to dominate this week in every fashion.

9. Anthony Davis

Last week's rank: N/A

It's a Laker takeover this week. Davis enters the top ten after multiple dominate games. It could have been argued he should have been in last week.

8. Kevin Durant

Last week's rank: 5

The biggest falloff in this week's NBA MVP Power Rankings is Kevin Durant. Having Durant inside the top five could have been controversial in itself. However, Durant's ranking was corrected, and he's still inside the top ten.

7. Tyrese Haliburton

Last week's rank: 4

After a historic week of play, Haliburton touches earth. Haliburton is no doubt a star in the making, and it's showed the last few weeks. Despite Haliburton's career-best start, he has dropped out of the top five.

6. Jayson Tatum

Last week's rank: 7

One of our first risers in this week's MVP rankings. Tatum and the Celtics continue steamrolling the NBA. With just five losses on the season, it's easy to include Tatum in this week's list. If the Celtics can continue dominating, expect Tatum's name to rise once again.

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last week's rank: 6

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander re-enters the top five after a strong showing this week and being the No. 6 player in the power rankings last week.

Shai has dominated all season, including this week, as the Thunder have continued to win games. They are now 16-8 and second in the Western Conference in large part to what Shai has done all season.

Many fans expected Shai to take this leap in his career but didn't know what kind of leap he would take. After a full summer on Team Canada, Shai's game has reached another level. It's hard to know if the 25-year-old could take another leap, but due to his youth, it could be expected.

Shai is likely the most all-around player inside the top five, which is why he's a continuous candidate for the number one spot. Since last week, the margin between the number one ranking and five has grown increasingly closer. Shai has the ability to take that leap.

After defeating the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, it was easy to see that Shai also has leadership ability as well. He led the Thunder with 25 points and eight rebounds.

Shai also backed up his supporters in a 43-point game against the Sacramento Kings. Despite the loss, Shai had an amazing night and a near-double-double as well.

Defensively, Shai has proven to be a potential Defensive Player of The Year candidate, as he leads all players in total steals. With his insane athleticism and wingspan, it's easy to see how Shai gets so many loose balls.

If Shai puts up another strong performance next week, he could regain his top-three rankings.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Last week's rank: 7

It's hard to deny greatness when Giannis has had a historic week for the NBA.

The highest riser in this week's MVP Power Rankings is former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He started the week off hot by setting a new Milwaukee Bucks franchise record for points scored in a single game with 64 points. Yes, you read that right 64 points in the win against the Indiana Pacers.

Giannis not only set the Buck's single-game scoring record, but he would also go on to set the franchise record for rebounds in a single game as well. On Sunday night, Giannis led the way with 17 rebounds and 26 points.

Going 4-0 in a single week is no easy task, yet Giannis and the Bucks made it look easy. All week long, Giannis was lighting up the scoreboard with insane stats, which is why every win Milwaukee had looked so easy.

The former MVP should be higher on the list if it wasn't for the great play by the three names ahead of him. With this in mind, Giannis should rise in the coming weeks.

Milwaukee fans have seen the greatness firsthand from their franchise player. If he can continue this level of play, he will no doubt win the MVP race once the season is over.

3. Luka Doncic

Last week's rank: 3

Luka Doncic continues his spectacular play through December.

Doncic retains his three ranking once again in this week's MVP Power Rankings. After a strong week Doncic and multiple wins from the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic will stay at the three spot.

Through the month of December, Doncic has averaged just under 37 points per contest. Additionally, he is averaging just one rebound shy of a triple-double for the month. We still have a long way before December is over, but these would be historical stats if Doncic continued at this rate.

To add to Doncic's historic month, he has also led the Mavericks to a 5-2 record. His four-game winning streak came to an unfortunate end against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it was a clear message the Mavs can keep up with the best.

On Saturday night's win against the Trail Blazers, Doncic had yet another 40-point triple-double. Just a few days before that, he would also drop a 33-point 17 assist game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Offensively, Doncic has put up career-high numbers all around the board. His shooting numbers have skyrocketed from previous years, and it has become a common sight to witness Doncic rain in threes. He's become a complete offensive tool bag from his lethal shot behind the arc to his bully basketball when he gets inside the paint.

Doncic's case for the 2024 MVP award only grows stronger by the day, but he will need to continue on this historic pace to secure the award. Doncic and the Mavericks will have their toughest stretch yet as they play some of the best teams in the NBA, and they could be without Kyrie Irving.

2. Joel Embiid

Last week's rank: 2

Embiid stays at the two spot despite yet another strong week.

Embiid's case for the number one spot grows more and more as the season goes along. The reigning MVP could win back-to-back if he continues on the path he is now.

Embiid, by far has the most impressive stats of any player in the NBA. In fact, he has averaged 40 points per contest in the month of December. At this rate, Embiid could become the scoring champion if he stays on a healthy track.

Embiid's MVP case has also grown stronger as he has led the Sixers to eight wins in a row, most coming by blowout wins. In that streak, Embiid has had three 40-plus-point games, including a 50 bomb against the Washington Wizards.

Defensively, Embiid has proven to be one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA. In the month of December, Embiid has averaged two blocks per game, and this includes his two four-block performances.

He and Maxey have only grown closer as the two have led the Sixers to the third-best record in the NBA. Having a co-star like Maxey only makes Embiid that much better. This could be the season the Sixers finally make it past the second round in the playoffs.

Until we see a drop off out of Jokic, Embiid will stay at the two spot. Despite being so consistent, Embiid is the MVP for many other fans.

1. Nikola Jokic

Last week's rank: 1

Nikola Jokic continues dominating everyone he plays, and it's no different this week.

Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have experienced a dry spell over the last week. However, Jokic hasn't slowed up one bit. With both Doncic and Embiid breathing down his neck, he has managed to stay cool and play the Jokic ball fans have come to love.

Through December Jokic has continued to stay consistent and score a near triple-double in every game he has played in. This includes his ejection in the first half against the Chicago Bulls. Jokic wasn't having the best of games but still managed to have a huge impact in just 16 minutes of play.

Despite Jokic's play on the court, the Nuggets have been plagued by injuries all season long. Both Aaron Gordan and Jamal Murray have missed a lot of time due to several injuries. With both star players out, it's been easy to see just how impactful they are for the Nuggets. They have slipped to a 17-10 record real quickly.

Since last week's Power Rankings, the Nuggets have since rebounded, going 3-1 in their last four. Having a healthy roster was a huge reason they were able to pull these wins together.

It will be critical that Jokic improve his play over the next week if he wants to stay at the one spot. Both Embiid and Doncic have been hungry to advance in the MVP Power Rankings.

On Monday, the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets will clash once again. This could be the turning point of the Luka Doncic MVP case. For more updates on Mavericks basketball, stay plugged in.