Nuggets star Nikola Jokic continues his run of dominance this year after securing his third MVP award. On Wednesday, two days before the Nuggets fight for their season, Jokic’s status as the MVP once again was revealed and it wasn’t a huge surprise to anyone.
For the THIRD time, Nikola Jokić is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player 🃏 pic.twitter.com/8648dJsbbZ
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 8, 2024
The voting results show an overwhelming blowout in favor of Jokic. He received 79 first-place votes, beating out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was second with just 15 votes for first. Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo came in third and fourth place, respectively. In total, the Nuggets star tallied 926 points.
The complete voting results for the 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. pic.twitter.com/Dqbd7MaRjC
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2024
The Joker now joins Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson as the only 3x MVP winner and it was well-earned. Through 79 games, he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game on 58.3% shooting while leading the Nuggets to a top-three seed in the West.
This is the only thing that matters to me right now, MY FAVORITE PLAYER IN THE NBA HAS WON HIS 3rd MVP 🥹🥳🥳
NIKOLA JOKIC!!!!! pic.twitter.com/56hM0hli45
— Tatiana (@Tatianaclinares) May 8, 2024
On social media, the discourse was interesting to watch. While some critics tried to take away from the moment, most fans and experts congratulated the Joker for his momentous achievement and have embraced his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
One of the most special and unique stories in the history of a beautiful game . We are all lucky to witness it!!
Celebrate Jokic and Keep Climbing!!
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) May 9, 2024
With his latest MVP win in the books, Jokic’s greatness cannot be denied and his place in history is forever marked as a 3x MVP. Of course, at only 29 years old, he may not even be done competing for MVPs and proving himself at the highest level.
Just a reminder that Nikola Jokic is the only player EVER to win a championship without an All-NBA/All-Star teammate.
Top 3 player EVER.
No one has ever done more with less. pic.twitter.com/mXwfN3HG2Y
— Nikola Jokić Fan Club (@njokicfanclub) May 8, 2024
As impressive as this run has been for Jokic, it’s in serious jeopardy of being tainted if the Nuggets get swept in this second-round series. The team, and Jokic in particular, looked rattled in Game 2 (where he shot 38% from the field) and many believe they will not recover in this series.
Can Nikola Jokic Save The Nuggets’ Season?
As the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic should be celebrating this victory but all anyone can talk about regarding the Nuggets is their impending playoff doom. After winning the championship last season and looking so dominant for so long, nobody was expecting the Nuggets to look so outmatched against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves’ size, length, and physicality are pushing the Nuggets to their limit and Jokic is finding it harder than ever to orchestrate the offense amid, arguably, one of the best defensive performances in modern NBA history.
The Timberwolves held the Nuggets to just 80 points in Game 2 and Jamal Murray was on the verge of a suspension for throwing objects towards the officials. All around, the Nuggets are showing signs of frustration and the cracks are beginning to show.
Even so, down 2-0, the Nuggets still have a chance to come back and prove everyone wrong. If they can win Game 3 and avoid a potential sweep, it could be the spark the team needs to get back in the series. But if not, and the Nuggets fail to respond in any way, there will be some tough conversations about Jokic, the Nuggets, and what comes next after an otherwise spectacular season gets brought to a bitter end.
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