The NBA MVP race is starting to take real shape as the season rolls into January, and the competition at the top couldn’t be tighter. From historic all-around dominance to explosive scoring runs, several stars are clearly separating themselves from the pack.

The only centers on the MVP ladder are Denver Nuggets superstar big Nikola Jokic and San Antonio Spurs French man Victor Wembanyama. This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/rockets/onsi as Rockets' Alperen Sengun Shows up on NBA's MVP Ladder.

The chants were predictable. Put a star athlete in front of a home crowd after an emotional victory, and you will hear the letters M, V and P. That’s what Anthony Edwards heard on Sunday after leading the Timberwolves to a dramatic comeback 104-103 victory over San Antonio at Target Center.

NBA players are most likely to win the MVP award this season? Here are the top contenders ranked based on their odds.

The Denver Nuggets' big man still reigns supreme among the latest NBA MVP ladder. Despite missing some extended time for the Denver Nuggets with a hyperextended left knee, three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic is still atop the current leaderboard to take home the award once again this season.

The NBA is ripe with 30-point-per-game scorers this season, but standing above all of them in the first half of the NBA season is Luka Doncic. His 32 points per game not only lead the league, his 8.8 assists per game rank fourth and his eight rebounds per game also rank 25th.

The Joker went bananas with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 142-138 OT win versus Minnesota on Christmas Day. Denver won that game despite being down three starters and what’s more impressive was Jokic scoring 18 points in OT! Those 18 OT points broke Steph Curry ‘s record of 17 points in 2016.

With the calendar turning to the New Year, the NBA MVP race is starting to take real shape. Contenders are separating themselves, storylines are forming, and sportsbooks are adjusting quickly based on performances and team success.

Edwards delivered against Victor Wembanyama in crunch time, giving Minnesota one of its best 40-game starts in franchise history.