Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has further etched himself in NBA history after receiving his third MVP award.
On Wednesday, the Serbian-born big man was named the league’s Most Valuable Player — putting him in some elite company.
Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Jokic is just the ninth player to ever win three MVPs in their career. Joining all-time greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and the late Moses Malone.
It’s remarkable what the 29-year-old All-Star has been able to turn himself into after entering the league as a second-round pick with little to no fanfare.
Had it not been for Joel Embiid’s season last year, Joker could very well have been the first player to ever win NBA MVP four straight times.
Jokic beat out Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic for the award.
Right now though the Nuggets are going to need their 6’11” playmaking big man to will them to a win after going down 2-0 to the up-and-coming Minnesota Timberwolves.
We’ll see Joker back on the court Friday night at 9:30 PM ET for a pivotal Game 3 matchup on the road.