With new jerseys, courts, and stakes, the first-ever In-Season Tournament has begun. A race for the first NBA Cup and the title of Most Valuable Player takes place at the end of the event.

“The players’ performance in both Group Play and the Knockout Rounds” will determine who wins MVP. Since there aren’t many games and just eight teams in all making it out of Group Play, victory is much more important in the race for this prize.

Take a peek at the athletes that are staking claims to the early lead for tournament MVP.

1. Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton

25.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 14.0 apg, 2.0 spg, and 50.0 FG% were the tournament figures.

Haliburton showed right away that his outstanding play with Team USA last year and his All-Star debut were only the beginning. The 23-year-old’s playmaking has been the driving force behind Indiana’s impressive start, which includes a 2-0 record in East Group A.

A passing masterclass was displayed by the 6-foot-5 point guard in the high-caliber tournament victories over Cleveland and Philadelphia. The top-heavy Sixers were unable to match the team balance that his 15 assists on Tuesday produced.

It’s pleasantly challenging to convey the enormous magnitude of Haliburton’s produce. This is an attempt: Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, and Kevin Johnson are the only players in NBA history who have averaged at least 20 points and 12 assists per game in a single season. The former 12th overall choice is on (an early) pace to join them.

2. Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis

22.0 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 10.0 apg, 1.5 bpg, and 57.1 FG% were the tournament figures.

Early in the season, De’Aaron Fox missed five games, including the first round of the tournament. In the Kings’ victory over Oklahoma City, Sabonis made sure it didn’t matter by setting up the offense with 13 assists and anchored the defense with 13 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Fox returned on Friday, but without Sabonis’ all-around skill, not even his 43-point performance would have sufficed. The three-time All-Star helped the Kings defeat San Antonio 129-120, scoring 27 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists.

Sacramento shares first place in West Group C with Minnesota. On November 24 (8 ET, NBA League Pass), those two clubs square off with a clear lead in the competition for a Knockout Round berth.

3. Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James

Stats for the tournament: 60.0 FG%, 7.0 apg, 1.3 spg, 8.3 rpg, and 27.7 ppg

James is the center of attention for the Lakers, who have played with a strong sense of equilibrium in the tournament. The 38-year-old is supporting his younger colleagues and stepping up when Anthony Davis is playing below average.

James’ performance on Friday against Portland—35 points, nine assists, and five 3-pointers—served as a reminder of his timeless brilliance. He once shared the floor with Jabari Walker of the Blazers, whose father Samaki was James’ opponent from 2004 to 2006.

Nearly 20 years later, James has the Lakers (3-0) sitting alone and undefeated atop West Group A. Winning their remaining game against second-place Utah on Tuesday (10 ET, TNT) would clinch L.A. a berth in the Knockout Rounds.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns

Tournament stats: 31.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 48.9 FG%

Anthony Edwards is drawing all eyes with his leap to superstardom, but Towns’ recent hot streak is reminding many why he is already a three-time All-Star. The former No. 1 overall pick is lighting up tournament games with his nearly unstoppable offensive skill set.

Towns leads the Timberwolves in points, minutes, rebounds and made 3-pointers during tournament play. The majority of that production comes without dominating the ball; nearly 70% of Towns’ made shots during the tournament have been assisted by teammates.

Minnesota has a spotless 2-0 record in West Group C. Next week’s Group Play matchup against 2-0 Sacramento — and a clash between Towns and All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis — looms large.

5. Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic

Tournament stats: 30.3 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 12.0 apg, 54.2 FG%, 91.7 FT%

Jokic’s tournament numbers are as large as the defining “5,280” crowning the center of Denver’s In-Season Tournament court. That production was enough to open the tournament with a win over scalding-hot Dallas.

Like Sabonis, Jokic was forced to play a tournament game without his injured starting point guard (Jamal Murray). Unlike Sabonis, Jokic and the Nuggets could not rally to win without Murray, losing to New Orleans 115-110 on Friday. That’s not a knock on Jokic; Denver’s defeat could cost it a berth in the Knockout Rounds, which are part of choosing the In-Season Tournament MVP.

The Nuggets still have a shot, though it’s an uphill climb. The loss to New Orleans gives the Pelicans the head-to-head tiebreaker. Denver will need to win its remaining game at Houston for a shot at advancing.