For the bulk of the season, the MVP award has been OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's to lose. FanDuel has his odds at -400, with the superstar having positioned his team atop the NBA yet again.
However, another name has come out of nowhere to threaten SGA's repeat.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has firmly established himself as the dark horse in the race, and he doesn't look like he is going away anytime soon.
This week in the NBA's MVP Ladder, Brown jumped up four spots to number three, directly behind the reigning recipient.
With Jokic currently ranked first, even though he will likely end the season under the 65-game minimum to earn consideration, it is looking like Brown and Gilgeous-Alexander will be fighting to the finish line.
Jaylen Brown has outperformed expectations by every metric
With running mate Jayson Tatum having yet to play a game as he continues to rehab from a torn Achilles sustained in last year's postseason, much of the burden of keeping Boston afloat has fallen on Brown's shoulders.
He has responded tremendously, posting career highs in points, field goals, three-point percentage, and assists. He has miraculously positioned his Celtics third in the Eastern Conference standings, just four and a half games out of the lead.
Brown has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate in large part because of the praise he receives for his efforts on the other side of the ball. His combination of scoring and defensive ability is not shared by all other candidates, and it has given him a boost over players like Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson.
Sports personalities have also stuck their neck out for him, campaigning for the Celtic while simultaneously throwing shade at Shai.
Brown still has boxes unchecked compared to Thunder star
With all this being said, there is a reason that Jaylen Brown still trails Gilgeous-Alexander by a significant margin.
Shai still averages more points and assists and is shooting more efficiently by nearly every metric.
SGA also has Brown's calling card beat. He is holding opponents to 42.3 percent shooting, while opposing players are shooting 42.8 percent against Brown.
Shai also has the advantage in the place where the true MVP edges out his competition: winning.
Not only has the Thunder point guard positioned his team atop the NBA, but he has risen above the rest in the most crucial times. Shai is averaging the most clutch points per game in the NBA at 7.9.
Brown averages a mere 2.4.
Defensively in clutch time, Shai boasts an elite 99.4 defensive rating. Brown's is at 128.4.
While Jaylen Brown is having a dominant season, he is truly no match for the Thunder's franchise player. If all goes according to plan, SGA will enter next season hunting a third straight MVP trophy.