Former two-time Kia MVP may be in line for his 3rd career MVP this season.
NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic quashed notions of complacency and title hangover Tuesday in opening the regular season with career triple-double No. 106 in a 119-107 win.
That’s fresh off the heels of a record 10 triple-doubles in the 2023 postseason.
He’s rolling, for sure. And it’s safe to call Jokic the favorite in 2023-24 to capture his third Kia MVP in four seasons.
Here’s a look at 15 Kia MVP candidates to watch this season (listed alphabetically by last name):
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
He finished third in 2023 Kia MVP voting, but the 28-year-old enters the season locked in after signing an extension that was the icing on the cake after new co-star Damian Lillard came aboard. That pick-and-roll combo should prove devastating, while their respective gravity opens up everything else.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
No point guard in Phoenix, no problem. Booker ran with the responsibility of primary ballhandler in his team’s season opener. The 26-year-old dropped a game-high 32 points with eight dimes, including three assists on three consecutive possessions over the final 69 seconds to three different teammates.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The two-time Kia MVP and 2022 NBA Finals MVP shows no signs of slowing down at 35. Curry struggled in a season-opening loss to Phoenix. But expect the vet to flourish once Draymond Green returns and the group figures out the optimum utilization of new point guard Chris Paul.
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers need Davis to consistently excel in the role of No. 1 option on offense. He looked the part in the first half Tuesday with 17 points before disappearing the last two quarters. That can’t happen with the Lakers trying to keep LeBron James’ minutes down this season.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Dropped a smooth 33-point triple-double at San Antonio on Wednesday to spoil the debut of Victor Wembanyama. Hobbled some by a left calf strain, Doncic showed why he’s perennially a Kia MVP candidate. The 24-year-old might’ve found a new weapon in impressive rookie big Dereck Lively II.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
The 35-year-old former Kia MVP and Finals MVP produced a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) to start the season against Golden State. Relaxed and unattached to drama for the first time since leaving Brooklyn, Durant remains one of the league’s most efficient scorers.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Don’t let the slow start fool you. Yes, Edwards struggled with his shot in Minnesota’s season-opening loss. But at 22, Edwards ranks as the youngest in NBA history to drain 600 or more career 3-pointers (604). Expect the guard to ride the momentum generated over the summer in FIBA play.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
The reigning Kia MVP received some relief Tuesday when disgruntled co-star and 2018 Kia MVP James Harden returned to the team. Harden didn’t make the trip to Milwaukee for Thursday’s season opener, but Embiid produced 24 points on the road against the new-look Bucks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
He opened the season at Chicago with his 79th career 30-point performance. Keep in mind, that he led the NBA last season in 30-point games (45). The 25-year-old dished 10 dimes, too, finishing off the Bulls by scoring or assisting on 60 points for a Thunder team primed for a leap.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Even in his 21st season, James remains a legitimate MVP candidate and displayed as much in leading the Lakers in scoring in the season opener. James accomplished the feat on a scaled-back workload (29 minutes) and finished with the best plus-minus (plus-7) of any of the Lakers’ starters.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
After a sizzling season debut, Jokic and the Nuggets hit the road Friday to face a Memphis team lacking depth in the frontcourt. The 28-year-old needs only one more triple-double to tie James and Jason Kidd (107) for fourth all time in league annals.
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
Now paired with Antetokounmpo, the most devastating weapon of his career, Lillard expects to see more open shots than he did in Portland. We caught a first glimpse of that Thursday when Lillard tallied 39 points, a franchise record for any player debuting with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Mitchell gave fans what they’re accustomed to in Cleveland’s season-opening win in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old drilled a 3-pointer with 12.1 ticks left on the clock to seize the win, finishing off a 27-point showing. Mitchell and new teammate Max Strus combined for 54 points.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Last season’s leader in double-doubles, Sabonis tallied another (257 career double-doubles) Wednesday in a win against Utah, shooting 57.1%. The 27-year-old finished seventh in MVP voting last season, after averaging a double-double for the fourth consecutive season.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Offseason additions leave Boston looking primed for legit contention. Tatum enters a critical 2023-24 campaign coming off All-NBA first team honors in each of the last two seasons, after becoming the first Celtics player to average 30 points per game. Tatum opened the season with his 91st career double-double.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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