USA TODAY International Edition
With big week, Westbrook passes Harden in MVP race
USA TODAY Sports’ NBA MVP Award watch list ( statistics, records and standings through Week 22, from March 27 to Sunday). Also receiving votes: Bulls’ Jimmy Butler, Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.
5. ISAIAH THOMAS, CELTICS ( 50- 27)
Season statistics: 29.1 points, 5.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 46.3% shooting
The Celtics, who are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, have a must- watch game against the second- seeded Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Celtics were a half- game ahead of the defending champs going into Tuesday, and if they win their fourth and final matchup of the regular season would avoid giving the Cavs the tiebreaker. The game will be another chance for Thomas — who’s averaging 30.7 points ( on 50% shooting) and 6.7 assists against Cleveland this season — to shine on the big stage. His case might not be as strong as those of the next four guys on this list, but his season- long heroics will certainly get his name on ballots.
4. LEBRON JAMES, CAVALIERS ( 49- 27)
Season statistics: 26.3 points, 8.7 assists, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 54.4% shooting
James’ highlight was his 41point, 16- rebound, 11- assist, 52minute outing in a double- overtime win Sunday vs. the Pacers. He came up big down the stretch, hitting a three- pointer in the final minute of the second overtime and found Kevin Love for a three on the next possession.
3. KAWHI LEONARD, SPURS ( 59- 17)
Season statistics: 25.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals, 48.3% shooting
Leonard had a solid performance in a rout of Cleveland ( 25 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 30 minutes). He went 11- for- 21 from the field, though he missed all seven of his three- point attempts. He struggled against the Warriors, finishing with 19 points on 7- for- 20 shooting in a loss. Then, against the Thunder, Leonard led a 21point comeback and converted a game- clinching and- one in the final seconds. He finished with 28 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
2. JAMES HARDEN, ROCKETS ( 52- 25)
Season statistics: 29.2 points, 11.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 44.1% shooting
The margin for error is minuscule in this tight MVP race, and it’s the first time since December that Harden comes in at No. 2. Harden, who has been dealing since March 18 with a left wrist injury that’s affecting his play, sat out his first game of the season Sunday. In six games since the in- jury, he’s averaging 28.3 points, 10.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds but has seen his shooting percentages dip to 39% from the field and 25.8% from three- point range.
1. RUSSELL WESTBROOK, THUNDER ( 43- 33)
Season statistics: 31.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 42.5% shooting
Of all of Westbrook’s MVP- caliber performances this season, two of the most memorable came in Week 22. He orchestrated a 14- 0 run in the final 3: 30 vs. Dallas, capped by a jumper in the closing seconds to give the Thunder a one- point win. He scored 16 of Oklahoma City’s last 18 points and finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Two nights later, he had 57 points — most in a triple- double in NBA history — with 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He dug the Thunder out of a 21point hole and hit a tying threepointer in the final seconds to force overtime, where the Thunder won 114- 106.