The Denver Nugget’s Nikola Jokic continues to dominate headlines together with his historic efficiency in Friday’s 149-141 time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Suns, with the NBA’s first ever 30-point, 20-rebound and 20-assist night time. It’s virtually unimaginable to search out phrases to proceed to explain Jokic’s elite play and effectivity this season, and Friday night time’s efficiency simply added to his legacy.
Jokic tallied 31 factors, 22 rebounds, and a career-high 22 assists. With that, Jokic is as much as 29 triple-doubles on the season and has recorded 149 all through his profession.
After this efficiency, Jokic is formally averaging a triple-double this season. Solely two different gamers in NBA historical past have ended the season with a triple-double common: Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson.
Jokic continues to dominate the headlines together with his unbelievable play nightly, which has turned heads within the present MVP debate. Extra impressively, Jokic tried solely three free throws in final night time’s showdown, which included time beyond regulation.
There have been a number of discussions amongst media scribes and followers involving this yr’s NBA MVP race. Final night time’s efficiency made the dialog way more fascinating.
As of final week, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a transparent favourite to assert his first MVP title. The Thunder have among the finest information within the NBA (52-11) and he has been the primary purpose behind this elite Thunder squad. Averaging 32.8 factors, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per sport and sustaining first place within the Western Convention makes a powerful case for a MVP season.
However after analyzing Jokic’s statistics and his staff’s present file and placement within the Western Convention standings (third place and a 41-22 file), it is onerous to think about how Jokic won’t win the MVP award this season.
Jokic’s Gaudy Numbers
1st in effectivity (32.5 score)
third in factors per sport (28.9)
third in rebounds per sport (12.9)
2nd in assists per sport (10.6)
Tied for second in steals per sport (1.8)
Tied for fifth in 3 level % (44%)
He’s placing collectively one of the vital spectacular seasons in NBA historical past, and it is going to be onerous to disregard his manufacturing with regards to eligible voters submitting an MVP vote this yr.
What makes the MVP race extra fascinating is the present NBA schedule. The Thunder and the Nuggets have two conferences back-to-back on March 9 and10, and it is onerous to ascertain how these two video games won’t drastically sway the opinions of MVP voting.
This two-game collection will certainly be the deciding issue on who will develop into the 2024-2025 MVP winner, as all the media consideration and voters will carefully take note of these video games.
NBA followers ought to understand how particular Jokic is on a nightly, foundation as we’re witnessing the play of among the finest facilities to ever play the sport. Get pleasure from it whereas it lasts.
If he continues on his torrid tempo, we now have simply witnessed one of many best, if not the best, particular person season in NBA historical past.
