Nikola Jokic wins third MVP in four seasons

For the third time in the last four seasons, Nikola Jokic has won MVP.

Jokic becomes the 9th player in NBA history to win 3+ MVP awards. Here’s the company he’s joining.

• Bill Russell
• Wilt Chamberlain
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Moses Malone
• Larry Bird
• Magic Johnson
• Michael Jordan
• LeBron James

Jokic turned in another historic season, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game.

JOKIC GAME WINNER pic.twitter.com/LyeTqn8pXU

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2024

This season, Jokic set the record for most assists in a season by a center in NBA history. Jokic also finished 5th in the league in total points, 3rd in total rebounds, 2nd in total assists, and 8th in total steals. He’s the only player in NBA history to finish top-10 in all four categories in a single season.

In December, Jokic passed Nuggets great Dan Issel to become the Nuggets’ franchise leader in rebounds. In January, Jokic became the Nuggets’ all-time leader in assists. In an April win over the Spurs, Jokic recorded 42 points and passed Carmelo Anthony for the 3rd most points in Nuggets franchise history.

Nikola Jokic always gets exactly what he wants. pic.twitter.com/s29aOqPG8c

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 22, 2024

From Dec. 28 through Jan. 1, Jokic missed just two total shots across three games. It was the highest field goal percentage (92.9%) in NBA history with at least 25 total shots in three games.

Here are some other notable stat lines from Jokic’s season:

• 42 points (15-20 FGs), 12 rebounds, 8 assists vs. Wizards
• 42 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists vs. Spurs
• 35 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, 6 steals vs. Raptors
• 36 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists vs. Kings
• 41 points (16-20 FGs), 11 rebounds, 7 assists vs. Timberwolves
• 32 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists vs. Warriors
• 27 points, 22 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Trail Blazers
• 36 points, 21 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Rockets
• 26 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists vs. Cavs
• 26 points, 16 rebounds, 18 assists vs. Pelicans

If Jokic leads the Nuggets to another NBA championship, he’ll become just the 6th player in NBA history (Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Bird, James) to earn three regular-season MVP’s and two Finals MVP’s.