Even with their shocking and disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain perhaps the best team in the NBA.
In fact, they could end up with a historic track record when this season comes to an end.
A huge part of their success this year is because of Donovan Mitchell, who has scored a lot and also become comfortable as the team’s leader.
According to NBACentral, Mitchell is currently on NBA.com’s MVP ladder.
Mitchell comes in as the seventh candidate for MVP, ahead of Alperen Sengun, Cade Cunningham, and Anthony Davis.
https://t.co/wWGNmWoaNH’s updated MVP Ladder:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Karl-Anthony Towns
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Jayson Tatum
7. Donovan Mitchell
8. Alperen Sengun
9. Cade Cunningham
10. Anthony Davis— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 17, 2025
Ahead of Mitchell are stars like Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Nikola Jokic.
Sitting above all of them is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thursday night was a prime example of why Gilgeous-Alexander is the frontrunner for MVP as he put up 40 points, three rebounds, and eight assists on the Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, Mitchell had one of his worst games of the season and looked completely defeated by the Thunder.
However, Mitchell has shown he has the talent and drive to get back on track and rebound from such a rough night.
Can he put together a string of great games after Thursday’s mess and perhaps climb higher in the MVP ladder?
For the season, he is averaging 22.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
He is shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from the three-point line.
Mitchell is now the definitive leader of the Cavaliers and is quite happy with that role.
He is getting more attention, facilitating more, and making a bigger impact in a number of ways.
Those are all the sorts of things that an MVP candidate has to do.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Has Honest Admission About Loss To Thunder
