Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the third time in the past four years, a testament to his extraordinary talent and consistency in the league, according to ESPN. This announcement places Jokić among the ranks of basketball’s legendary figures who have won three or more MVP awards, including icons like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James.
Jokić’s MVP win this year, against stiff competition from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks, underscores his dominance in the sport. His impressive season statistics include averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and nine assists over 79 games, leading the Nuggets to tie for the best record in the Western Conference.
This accolade follows Jokić’s previous accolades, including Finals MVP from last season’s championship win—Denver’s first. His performance continues to be marked by high efficiency and versatility, dominating in the key statistical categories and leading the NBA in player efficiency rating (PER) for the fourth consecutive year.
Despite his individual successes, Jokić faces challenges in the postseason, with the Nuggets currently down 0-2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals. As the series moves to Minnesota for Game 3, Jokić’s leadership and performance will be crucial for the Nuggets’ hopes of a championship repeat.