Forget LeBron, Steph, or even Giannis for a moment. A new superstar is rising, and his name is Tyrese Maxey. Is he already a top-5 MVP candidate? The latest Kia MVP Ladder suggests it's not just hype, it's reality. But here's where it gets controversial... is he really more valuable to the 76ers than a former MVP like Joel Embiid? Let's dive in.
Fresh off a dazzling 36-point, 10-assist performance, including a clutch 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, against the Houston Rockets, Tyrese Maxey's star is undeniably ascending. Remember at the start of the 2025-2026 season, when the question was if Maxey would even be in the MVP conversation? Now, halfway through, there's absolutely no debate: he's the Sixers' undisputed leader in the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
This season marks not just an elevation for Maxey among NBA guards, but also a shift in the 76ers' power dynamic. Players with deeper, richer resumes such as Joel Embiid, a former MVP winner (check out his 2023 MVP season here: https://www.nba.com/kia-mvp/2023-joel-embiid), and Paul George, who once placed third in MVP voting (revisit the 2018-19 results here: https://pr.nba.com/voting-results-2018-19-nba-regular-season-awards/), have taken a backseat to Maxey's explosive performances. While Embiid is battling back from nagging leg issues, and George is striving to rediscover his All-Star form, Maxey has seized the spotlight from opening night.
What makes Maxey so special? He's a nightmare off the dribble, capable of attacking the rim against even the toughest defenders, and his outside shooting has become a real weapon. And this is the part most people miss... he's not just a scorer. Maxey is naturally a scorer trapped in a point guard's body, standing at 6-foot-2. However, he's averaging a career-high 6.7 assists per game, a testament to his growth and maturity in his sixth season. Think about it: he can score at will, but he's also making his teammates better. That's the hallmark of a true leader.
Given the uncertainty surrounding his veteran teammates – particularly Embiid's health – the fate of the Sixers arguably rests on Maxey's shoulders. And he's not just handling the pressure; he's thriving under it. He’s among the league leaders, standing in third in the NBA in scoring (check the leaderboard here: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders/) and minutes per game (see the minutes leaders here: https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional?PerMode=PerGame&dir=A&sort=MIN), while ranking second in steals per game (find the steals leaders here: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders?StatCategory=STL). He’s also top-15 in assists, a freshly-named All-Star Game starter (re-live his All-Star announcement here: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/tyrese-maxey-all-star-starter?plsrc=nba&game-highlights=0022500304) and firmly in contention for an All-NBA selection. All this culminates in his current position at No. 5 on the MVP Ladder.
In that thrilling victory over the Rockets, Maxey poured in 17 of his 36 points in the crucial fourth quarter and overtime periods. He also came up with several key steals down the stretch and dished out 10 assists. While Embiid had an impressive 32-point triple-double of his own, he deferred to Maxey on several critical late-game possessions, even setting screens for him. That's a powerful statement of trust and belief.
The Sixers, currently at 24-19, are safely above the playoff cutline, largely thanks to Maxey's consistent performance and availability. While he'll undoubtedly need support from his teammates if Philly hopes to make a deep playoff run, it's clear that in a season filled with challenges, the Sixers have leaned heavily on Maxey, and he's responded by stepping up and delivering.
Setting the Stage: Though perhaps the hype isn't as intense as it once was, it's worth remembering that less than a year ago (Feb. 1), Luka Dončić (No. 3 on the Ladder) was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in a shocking move (read the report here: https://www.nba.com/news/report-lakers-to-acquire-luka-doncic-from-mavericks-for-anthony-davis-others). His return to Dallas on Saturday will be interesting, as both teams find themselves in vastly different circumstances. The Lakers are poised for a playoff berth, while the Mavericks are rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, hoping for a fresh start. Whether that comes to fruition this season remains to be seen.
The Stat to Know: With just under 90 seconds remaining in Minnesota's loss to the Bulls on Thursday, Anthony Edwards scored his 20th point, marking his 17th consecutive game with at least 20 points. He's slowly closing the gap on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive 115-game streak. For context, Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time record with a staggering 126 games.
What They're Saying: "It's the utmost respect. Jokic is one of the greatest players to ever play this game. It was just for me to see him and pay my respects." – LeBron James, explaining why he approached and embraced an injured Nikola Jokić during a timeout in last Tuesday's Lakers-Nuggets game. This shows the respect even all-time greats have for their peers.
Here's a look at the top 5 on the Kia MVP Ladder:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 1 (unchanged) (see last week's rankings: https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-jan-16-2026)
Season Stats: 32 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists (view his stats here: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628983)
His Case: Gilgeous-Alexander is closing in on Dončić for the NBA scoring title, fueled by a recent 40-point explosion against the Bucks. He shot an incredible 16-19 from the field, showcasing his remarkable efficiency. It was his fourth 40+ point game of the season. He's averaging 31.4 points in January, and the Thunder have bounced back from a brief slump, winning seven of their last eight games. Once again, OKC is on top in the West, and Gilgeous-Alexander remains the frontrunner on the Ladder.
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2 (unchanged) (see last week's rankings: https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-jan-16-2026)
Season Stats: 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11 assists (view his stats here: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/203999)
His Case: He's averaging a triple-double, delivered the season's best individual performance with a 61-point triple-double, and is widely considered the best player in the league. However, his recovery from a hyperextended knee is a concern. Originally scheduled to be re-evaluated next week, it remains to be seen if he'll be ready to return in February, and whether he'll meet the 65-game eligibility requirement for MVP consideration. Can he return to form quickly enough?
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 3 (unchanged) (see last week's rankings: https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-jan-16-2026)
Season Stats: 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists (view his stats here: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1629029/)
His Case: Since the new year, Dončić has been playing at an even higher level, averaging 33.2 ppg this month and scoring 30 or more points in eight of eleven games in January. He's the league's scoring leader and contributes significantly in other areas, especially on offense. Dončić ranks seventh on the all-time triple-double list (check the list here: https://www.nba.com/news/most-triple-doubles-in-nba-history) and needs just 20 more to pass Jason Kidd for No. 6. Assuming he stays healthy, he could achieve that milestone by next season.
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 4 (unchanged) (see last week's rankings: https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-jan-16-2026)
Season Stats: 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks (view his stats here: https://www.nba.com/player/1641705/victor-wembanyama)
His Case: He's back in the starting lineup and seeing increased minutes after a series of minor leg injuries slowed him down. Wembanyama continues to be a force on both ends of the court. He ranks No. 2 in total blocked shots with 81 in 31 games (view the blocks leaders here: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders?StatCategory=BLK&PerMode=Totals) and is averaging 24.7 ppg and 9.2 rpg in just 24.7 mpg this month. He can be inconsistent from three-point range, but has recently found a rhythm, going 19-31 in his last five games after missing all seven attempts last Tuesday against the Rockets.
5. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 8 (up 3 spots) (see last week's rankings: https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-jan-16-2026)
Season Stats: 30 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists (view his stats here: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1630178)
His Case: He’s arguably the most underrated two-way player in the league, thanks to his quick hands and feet. Maxey has an extra gear when attacking the rim and excels at disrupting passing lanes defensively. He's been a top-five NBA scorer for much of the season and is second in total steals (view the steals leaders here: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders?StatCategory=STL&PerMode=Totals) with 86. He had eight steals against the Pacers and 19 in his last four games. Before Joel Embiid's return (and subsequent reduction in minutes restrictions), Maxey carried Philly offensively. This season, he has four games with 40 or more points, including a career-high 54-point performance (watch the highlights here: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/tyrese-maxey-scores-career-high-54-points-in-ot-win).
The Next 5:
6. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (down)
7. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (down)
8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (down)
9. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (up)
10. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (unchanged)
And Five More (Listed Alphabetically): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors; Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors; Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
So, what do you think? Is Tyrese Maxey a legitimate MVP contender? Can he lead the Sixers to a championship? And is he more important to the team right now than Embiid? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's get the debate started!
