Without Jayson Tatum’s triple-double in the Boston Celtics’ 124-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, Duke Basketball’s one-and-done in 2016-17 would be on the updated Kia MVP ladder. would have slipped. on friday.
Related: Stack all 26 Duke One and Don in History
But thanks to his performances against the Mavericks (22-17) and their MVP candidate Luka Doncic (currently 4th in the race), Tatum is the incumbent two-time MVP at the Denver Nuggets Center’s Nikola Jokic. remains in second place.
Tatum’s 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in Dallas were the second triple-double of his career and the first of the season, helping the Celtics (27-12) lose two straight games. helped maintain the NBA’s all-time record. The 24-year-old forward added two blocks and his one steal in his 35 minutes on the floor.
scroll to continue
He is currently averaging career highs of 30.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. And his 4.2 assists per game is just his 0.2 cents behind his best record in the division last season.
Jayson Tatum could be the first Duke basketball player to win NBA MVP, but he’s not the only Blue Devil in the top 10 of this latest edition of the ladder.
Related: List of all Blue Devils currently in the NBA
The other is Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans in 10th place. 10 next week.
For daily Duke basketball content, keep an eye on Blue Devil Country.
