Luka Dončić scores 46 points (8-for-14 on 3-pointers) against the Bulls as the Lakers rise to 27-17.

There are a few numbers too elusive for Nikola Jokić, who makes a habit of compiling triple-doubles not only for a game but entire seasons, and yet the Denver Nuggets center may finally meet his match.

That number is 65, as in the required number of games for NBA award eligibility.

Jokić will return to action Friday against the Clippers after being out since Dec. 29 with a hyperextended knee. That’s the good news. The other not-so-good news: He can’t miss more than one more game. That means his wiggle room is minimal. And the Nuggets have five back-to-backs remaining on the schedule.

Jokić would probably play it out from here if it were completely up to him; he doesn’t like to be load-managed or sit out games. But the Nuggets might have a voice, given his obvious importance to a team with realistic championship aspirations — and one that has performed surprisingly well without him.

It’s an unfortunate position for Jokić, who was comfortably ahead in the Kia Race for the MVP before pulling up lame. Since then, his position on the MVP ladder became slippery; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander replaced him on the top spot and Luka Dončić is this week’s No. 2.

This would be somewhat similar to Bill Walton in 1977-78. The defending champion Portland Trail Blazers won 50 of their first 60 games and odds for a repeat appeared strong. Walton averaged nearly 19 points, 13 rebounds and was the Joker of his day as a premier passing center. He suffered a broken foot and played just 60 games — the fewest by an MVP before or since.

The difference is that Walton was done for the regular season (he returned briefly in the playoffs and was re-injured); Jokić is back.

The other difference — there was no minimum-required games for eligibility for MVP, All-NBA or other awards back then.

So Jokić finds himself engaged in three separate competitions — against other teams, against the 65-game rule, and, if he’s lucky and continues to qualify, against everyone else on the ladder.

In a worst-case scenario, he’ll always have that 56-point triple-double on Christmas Day that probably won’t be erased by anyone this season, and maybe not in a while.

But wouldn’t it be epic if Joker, here in his return to the lineup, does just that?

Setting the stage this week: The Nuggets host Oklahoma City on Sunday in a game with plenty of implications. There’s Jokić vs. Shai; the two have arm-wrestled over the MVP award since November of 2024. Plus, the Nuggets are in pursuit of OKC at the top of the West standings.

The stat to know: Think of all the greats to wear the Lakers uniform. Then, consider what Dončić just did to leapfrog them: he became the fastest Laker to score 2,000 points and also score 2,000 with 500 rebounds and 500 assists, doing all of the above in his first 65 games with the franchise. Yes, faster than LeBron James.

What they are saying: “This is Donovan Mitchell’s city now.” — Cavs guard Jalen Tyson, saluting the No. 7 player on the MVP Ladder, after Cleveland beat LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 1 ↔️
Season stats: 32 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists

His case: He’s a week removed from a 47-point outburst against the Indiana Pacers, a game OKC lost. But it is better to lose that one here in January than Game 7 last June.

Gilgeous-Alexander is second in the NBA in scoring and the unquestioned leader of the team with the NBA’s best record. If he wins a second straight MVP, he’ll elevate himself among some of the league’s all-time greats. Maybe for good if he keeps this up.

2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Last week’s ranking: No. 3 ⬆️
Season stats: 33.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists

His case: If Jokić drops out of the running, then don’t be surprised if Dončić presses Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP as 2025-26 wanes. This could come down to the wire, especially if the Lakers rise in the standings. Dončić is delivering for the Lakers each night; his playmaking is second to none in the NBA and he’s the key to the Lakers’ offensive success.

Dončić leads the league in scoring, is third in assists and among the better rebounding guards in the NBA. He has scored at least 25 points with five rebounds and five assists in six straight games and dropped 46 points on the Bulls to start this week.

3. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 2 ⬇️
Season stats: 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11 assists

His case: He’s averaging a triple-double and statistically is among the top three in scoring (No. 3), rebounds (No. 1) and assists (No. 3). In other words, typical Jokić. His best single-game performances overwhelm those of others on the Ladder. Plus, he has participated in on-court workouts over the last two weeks.

But now it’s a matter of remaining qualified for the award. When he’s no longer eligible, he’ll drop from the Ladder, and while the rules are the rules, it’ll be a misfortune for one of the legends.

4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Last week’s ranking: No. 4 ↔️
Season stats: 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks

His case: What began as an underwhelming week for Wembanyama, who struggled with his shooting during a pair of losses, took a drastic turn Wednesday with a stellar performance against the Rockets (28 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks). Worth noting: he only played 28 minutes in that victory. That was more in line with his season, and anyway, everyone — even the best players — seems to hit a skid or two right around this time.

Rather than being a prisoner of the moment, it’s better to judge Wembanyama over the course of his season so far. Taken as a whole, this is the best he has ever played. Nobody averages more blocked shots, and Wembanyama’s offense is improved. Good luck finding someone else on the MVP Ladder with that level of balance at both ends.

5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Last week’s ranking: No. 6 ⬆️
Season stats: 29.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists

His case: Brown continues to prosper for the Celtics, who are still without Jayson Tatum. Speaking of that, if the roles were reversed, would Tatum be top-five in the MVP rankings without Brown? Absolutely, and that makes Brown’s case even stronger.

Brown is dropping career-highs across the board this season (he’s tied for third in scoring), and especially showing improvements in shooting, both in volume (986 field goal attempts this season) and variety. His ability to carry a club that’s missing four heavy rotational players from last season (Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday) is remarkable.

The next 5:

6. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons ⬆️
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers ⬆️
8. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers ⬇️
9. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves ⬇️
10. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets ↔️

And five more (listed alphabetically): Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors; Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets; Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.