Mavs causing MVP mayhem?

If the Mavericks weren't panicking already, they obviously are now.
Yet it appears that folks over at the league office haven't given up on the West's reeling No. 1 seed.
Either that or the NBA is sticking to its practice of delaying its Most Valuable Player coronation until the start of the second round ... no matter how the winner's team fares.
The prospect of a (much) earlier-than-expected exit by the Mavs has prompted speculation that the NBA might be forced to move up its MVP announcement, based on the premise that Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki is expected to dethrone two-time reigning MVP Steve Nash and knowing that the league likes to hand out its awards while a team is still playing.
Maybe not in this case, though. The NBA announced Sunday -- hours before Dallas' 103-99 Game 4 loss to Golden State -- that its awards schedule for the coming week does NOT include an MVP ceremony.
The next three awards presentations, as announced via e-mail Sunday:
The league's All-Defensive Team, as voted on by the coaches, will be released Monday ... followed by Rookie of the Year on Wednesday ... and then the NBA's Sportsmanship Award on Thursday.
MVP?
If Nowitzki wins it, as widely expected, it appears he won't receive it before May 7 at the earliest.
Dallas must win its next three games, including Thursday's Game 6, to still be playing on May 7.
A loss Tuesday at home in Game 5 would eliminate Nowitzki's 67-win Mavs on May 1.