Six games into the season, the Dallas Mavericks already look like the contenders everyone thought they would be. Four of the team's wins have come in impressive fashion including their most recent win over the Orlando Magic.
Against a shorthanded Magic squad, the Mavericks took care of business and held a 20-point lead through most of Sunday night's contest. Off the bench, Dereck Lively II had one of his best performances of the season as he finished with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Despite starting 4-2, Luka Doncic hasn't even put his best foot forward to help the Mavericks. Doncic has struggled mightily on the offensive end but Sunday's win over the Magic could have been the turning point Mavs fans were waiting to see with the Slovenian star.
NBA MVP Power Rankings: Luka Doncic drops after early struggles
Doncic began the game by torching Magic defenders on just about every behind-the-arc attempt he took. As the game progressed, Doncic looked to get his teammates more involved which only expanded Dallas' lead over the shorthanded Magic.
With Doncic finally breaking out of the early season slump, his name could be one to monitor as MVP conversations continue to heat up.
10. Paolo Banchero
Last rank: 9
To begin last week, Banchero dropped his first career 50-point performance. This performance not only put Banchero back on the map but it elevated the Magic into possible Eastern Conference contenders.
Unfortunately for Banchero, he suffered a major injury that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks. Banchero's loss has already had major implications on the Magic as they are 0-3 since losing their superstar.
9. LaMelo Ball
Last rank: 4
LaMelo Ball has continued to display why he could be one of the most underrated guards in the league. Despite an impressive start to the season, the Charlotte Hornets are 2-4 with very little upside to show for their disappointing record.
8. Donovan Mitchell
Last rank: N/A
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been on an absolute tear to begin the season. The Cavs have started 7-0 in large part due to what Mitchell has done and the progression of players like Evan Mobley. Expect Mitchell's name to rise in next week's list.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Last rank: 7
The Milwaukee Bucks are a situation to monitor for the remainder of the season. After beginning the season with a blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Bucks have yet to get a win.
Despite starting 1-5, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the only positive thing to watch in Milwaukee.
6. Anthony Edwards
Last rank: 8
With a revamped roster around Anthony Edwards after the team's Western Conference Finals appearance, the Minnesota Timberwolves have had their fair share of struggles. Still, Anthony Edwards looks amazing after starting 3-3.
5. Nikola Jokic
Last rank: 6
After starting 0-2, the Denver Nuggets have gotten their season back on the right track. The team is now 3-1 in their last four games and it's in large part to the progression of Michael Porter Jr. and the steady play of former MVP Nikola Jokic.
The team has dealt with its fair share of struggles as injuries have played a big part in Denver's slow start to the season. More recently, point guard Jamaal Murry suffered a concussion which will sideline him for at least a week.
Even with the adversity that the Nuggets have already faced, Jokic has been nothing short of brilliant. The former MVP already has multiple 40-point performances under his belt and has carried the Nuggets to a .500 record.
4. Luka Doncic
Last rank: 3
The Dallas Mavericks have gotten out of the gates with a scorching 4-2 start. The team has had its fair share of struggles including a rebounding problem that arguably cost the the game against the Houston Rockets.
Despite the team scraping out a 4-2 record to begin the season, it has been largely without the help of superstar Luka Doncic.
Doncic has struggled mightily on the offensive end of the floor. The Slovenian star has relied on his 3-point shooting to garner the bulk of his offense despite shooting 31 percent from behind the arc to open the season.
After the Mavericks' impressive blowout win against the Orlando Magic, fans witnessed what could have been the turning point of Doncic's season. Doncic finished with 32 points and shot 50 percent from the field. Doncic also got fans fired up with a viral trash-talking moment where Doncic spoke German to some of Orlando's players.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Last rank: 4
To say the Oklahoma City Thunder have started the season off well would be a major understatement. The team has started 6-0 and could very well keep their streak alive tonight as they play a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has looked like a future MVP with the way he has led the Thunder to their historic start. Gilgeous-Alexander has yet to display his full potential this season, which only makes the Thunder more dangerous.
Once Gilgeous-Alexander gets his feet under him, the Thunder could be the best team in the Western Conference.
2. Jayson Tatum
Last rank: 2
Once again the Boston Celtics are looking like the team to beat. With arguably the best starting five in the league, the Celtics have made it rain from deep and have already set multiple franchise records to begin the season.
Despite struggling at times, Jayson Tatum has still looked like the potential MVP that he could be this season. Tatum has led the Celtics to a 7-0 start and the team has a favorable schedule ahead of them.
With Tatum shooting the lights out, the Celtics could very well be in contention for the franchise's first NBA Cup championship.
1. Anthony Davis
Last rank: 1
Anthony Davis is the first player to retain his number-one spot this season in the MVP Power Rankings. Despite the Los Angeles Lakers losing their first couple of games this week, Anthony Davis has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate under new head coach JJ Redick.
Davis has become the Lakers' top offensive weapon and has shown zero signs of slowing down. Barring any freak injuries, Davis is in store for a career-defining season even if he doesn't win MVP.
