Denver Nuggets center, Nikola Jokic, has won his third NBA MVP Award in four seasons, beating out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. Jokic received 926 points, including 79 first-place votes, while SGA had 640 points and 15 first-place votes, and Doncic finished with 566 points and four first-place votes. The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo came in fourth, followed by Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks in fifth place.
Despite his win, Shaquille O’Neal expressed disappointment in the decision, feeling that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the MVP award. Jokic becomes the ninth player in NBA history to win three or more MVPs, joining the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James. In the 2023-24 regular season, Jokić ranked in the top 10 in points, rebounds, and assists per game, becoming the second player in NBA history to achieve at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 700 assists in a single season.
Additionally, Jokić ranked second in the league in both double-doubles and triple-doubles, showcasing his versatility on the court. He maintained an impressive 58.3% field goal shooting percentage, ranking among the top 10 in the league. Behind Jokić’s stellar performance, the Denver Nuggets matched their franchise record for victories in a season with a 57-25 record, tying for the best record in the Western Conference. However, they currently trail the Minnesota Timberwolves 0-2 in the Western Conference playoffs as they head into Game 3 on Friday night.
Despite the success of the Nuggets in the regular season, they face a tough challenge in the playoffs against the Timberwolves. As the reigning MVP, Jokić will look to lead his team to a comeback in the series and continue his dominant performance on the court. With his unique skill set and contributions on both ends of the floor, Jokić has solidified his place among the NBA’s elite players and will look to add to his impressive resume as he pursues further success in the postseason. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Jokić can lead the Nuggets to a comeback against the Timberwolves and further solidify his status as one of the best players in the league.
