Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets won his third NBA MVP award in four seasons, beating out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic. Jokic received 79 first-place votes and finished with 926 points, while SGA had 15 first-place votes and 640 points, and Doncic had four first-place votes and 566 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jalen Brunson rounded out the top five in the MVP voting.
Despite Jokic’s win, there were some who felt Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was more deserving of the award. Shaquille O’Neal expressed his disappointment with the results on the NBA on TNT. Jokic has now won three MVP awards in his nine-year NBA career, joining an elite group of players who have won three or more, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James.
During the 2023-24 regular season, Jokic put up impressive numbers, ranking in the top 10 in points, rebounds, and assists per game. He became only the second player in NBA history to achieve at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 700 assists in a single season, joining the legendary Oscar Robertson. Jokic also had a strong showing in double-doubles and triple-doubles, finishing second in both categories.
Alongside Jokic’s stellar performance, the Denver Nuggets had a successful season, matching their franchise high for victories with a 57-25 record and tying for the best in the Western Conference. Despite their regular-season success, the Nuggets have faced challenges in the playoffs, trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves 0-2 in the Western Conference playoffs as they head into Game 3. Jokic’s leadership will be crucial as the team looks to bounce back and make a deep postseason run.
Overall, Nikola Jokic’s MVP win highlights his consistent excellence on the court and his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His historic season has solidified his place among the NBA’s elite players, as he continues to dominate and lead his team to success. As the playoffs continue, all eyes will be on Jokic and the Denver Nuggets as they look to make a strong playoff push and potentially bring home an NBA championship.