In the seven days since the last installment of the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder, Nikola Jokić had his epic 30-20-20 game, then was hampered by a sore elbow in a competitive loss to Oklahoma City on March 9, then responded with a monster effort against OKC in a victory on March 10.

Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rested for a game — no doubt in preparation for a national TV tip against Jokić — then was superb Sunday against the Nuggets, faltered the next night in a loss to Jokić, then went to Boston and upended the defending champs.

All of which is to say: This race for the top spot on the Ladder has juice and deserves drama.

In the minds of some voters, maybe it isn’t close here in mid-March. On this ladder, it is close — as it should be, out of respect for the seasons these two are producing.

You can make a case for either winning the MVP, and it would be a solid argument. But that time hasn’t arrived yet. And so, there’s another change at the top rung — it’s Jokić … for now. Unlike Gilgeous-Alexander, he didn’t take a game off. He overruled his coach and played the night after suffering the elbow tweak — and played superbly, too.

So, we move.

Setting the stage this week: Gilgeous-Alexander stops in Milwaukee on Sunday for a matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is holding firm at No. 3 on the Ladder. Overall, the Kia MVP Ladder is essentially a two-man race, but Antetokounmpo can at least demonstrate again why he’s in the running for this award.

The stat to know: Jokić has 29 triple doubles this season. The next three highest players have 26 combined.

What they are saying: “I haven’t seen one player play Shai one-on-one and stop him. Not one. He can get anywhere he wants to go.” — Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 29 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.4 assists

His case: Jokić remains among the top three in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals, an astonishing pace with just one month left in the regular season. If he finishes that high in those categories, it would be an NBA first.

As Malone said, Jokić is doing things we haven’t seen before. And as Jokić said himself, this is his best season — high stuff from a three-time MVP winner.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 32.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists

His case: Gilgeous-Alexander won’t finish the season as the steals leader as Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels has that on lock. But for Gilgeous-Alexander to finish as the scoring leader and No. 3 in steals (1.8 spg) demonstrates a both-ends-of-the-floor talent.

Also: OKC clinched a playoff berth and could win the West by a double-digit margin. The Thunder beat the Celtics on the road without Jalen Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander has beaten quality teams all season while missing key players.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 30.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists

His case: Antetokounmpo is still dealing with a sore calf yet continues a monster season. He’s second in scoring and should finish among the top four rebounders. Only Jokić, Domantas Sabonis and Karl-Anthony Towns have more double-doubles (and they’ve played more games).

Antetokounmpo has a crucial meeting with Gilgeous-Alexander upcoming, less in terms of the MVP Ladder and more in terms of keeping the Bucks inside the top six in the East.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 27.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists

His case: Tatum, the fourth leading scorer in the league, has 26 games of 30 or more points. Since the All-Star break he’s averaging 28 points and almost 10 rebounds and seven assists.

This is in some ways shaping up as the best season of his career. His all-around contributions have the Celtics in prime position in the East.

5. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Season stats: 24.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists

His case: Certainly at least one of the Cavs (best record in the league) deserves to be in the top-10, correct? Well, they have two — Mitchell and Evan Mobley. As for Mitchell, he’s their certified leader and best all-around player.

Mitchell might pump the brakes here in the remaining weeks if only to remain healthy for the playoffs. With the Cavs up somewhat comfortably on the second-place Celtics, his resting fate will be linked to the magic number for the top seed.

The Next 5

6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
7. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
9. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
10. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

And five more (listed alphabetically): Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies; Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks; Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks