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NBA player rankings: Who's had the most MVP-level performances?

James Harden's New Year's Eve performance against the Knicks put him in some elite company. Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

If James Harden ends up winning the MVP award, Saturday night's demolition of the New York Knicks probably will stand as his signature moment. Though the Houston Rockets have 47 more games, it's hard to fathom Harden playing any better. Even if you concede that there will surely be more important games than one in December against a fringe East playoff team, there won't be another jaw-dropping performance quite like that 53-point, 17-assist, 16-rebound clinic.

How does it stack up to some of the other great nights so far this season? Let's rank the top five performances after two months.