Nikola Jokic has won three MVP awards. Until recently, he was considered by many to be the best basketball player in the world. Nuggets fans still back that claim, and they also think Jokic should probably have five MVPs. In a row. And so does legendary former Nuggets head coach George Karl.
Jokic has been the MVP of the NBA for the past FIVE years. Sorry if that’s inconvenient to other narratives u want to tell!!
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) March 13, 2026
Karl's tweet hits NBA Twitter at a time when there have been many questions surrounding the MVP and the theoretical best basketball player in the world debate. And it comes on the heels of Nikola Jokic's epic performance in the Nuggets' 20-point comeback win over the Spurs.
Jokic sent a reminder to everyone that he's still just as dominant as he's ever been, recording a stat line that only Wilt Chamberlain has accomplished more times. Jokic finished with 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists. The 10th time Jokic has achieved the feat to Chamberlain's 16.
Jokic finished runner-up both times he lost in five years
The first time Jokic finished runner-up, he lost to Joel Embiid, in 2022-23. Jokic, with a chip on his shoulder, led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship in franchise history that year. He was passed over with a 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists average across 69 games.
Joel Embiid did lead the league in scoring at 30.6 points per game, but detractors point to his 9.6 free throws made and much lower shooting percentages than Jokic.
And when Jokic was the runner-up to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. He averaged a triple-double, shot 42% from three-point range, and led the league in efficiency for the fifth year in a row.
SGA led the league in scoring, but again, Jokic lost to the person leading the league in free throws. And Jokic had been even better than before.
The same thing that cost Jokic last year may bite him this year
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished with a record of 68-14, the NBA's best, while the Nuggets finished 50-32. The 18 wins were definitely the difference maker in last year's MVP race. You would think it had to be. The Joker averaged a triple-double and still didn't win.
And it could happen again this year, too. Jokic is averaging another triple-double, leading the league in rebounds and assists, and statistically having probably his best season. But again, the Nuggets' record and overall performance could come back and bite his chances at a fourth MVP.
The Nuggets are currently 41-26 while the Thunder are again a league-best at 52-15. The extra wins, plus the 0-3 record head-to-head against SGA, aren't going to help Jokic's case at all.
But that's ok for Nuggets fans. We agree with Coach Karl. We still think the Joker's the best basketball player in the world, and that he should have five MVPs. In a row. Going for six.