The fifth spot was another tough choice. Jalen Brunson is the beating heart of a Knicks offense that has been a force this season and he could well be No. 5 on my board, but the defensive concerns and credit for that offense also going to Karl-Anthony Towns bumped Brunson down one spot in my book to sixth. By the end of the season, this may flip.

They brace for it, watch film of the potential fatalities. A fortunate few have escaped. But all endure pain, customary when you step onto the pale hardwood in Oklahoma City.  Slow, 48-minute death — just three quarters if the damage is done like it has been three times this past week — by 1,

As the Thunder expand their win streak to 15 games, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA MVP resume grows even larger.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the top candidate for the MVP title this season. Fans are worried if he will start against the Cleveland Cavaliers

Alexander's greatest weapons has become his opponent’s favorite tool. SGA, averaging 31.4 points after Sunday’s blowout win in Washington, was a fourth quarter away from maintaining his brief hold of the league’s scoring crown over Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Nikola Jokić, averaging 31.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and shooting 55.4%, delivered back-to-back 40-point games against Victor Wembanyama, who is an MVP contender and Defensive Player of the Year favorite.