Well. This is it. One decision to decide the fate of NBA history, all because in 2023-24, the NBA decided they needed to institute a minimum number of games to qualify for postseason awards. The 65-game minimum rule. It was designed to curb too much "load management" for players.
Now, in 2026, Nikola Jokic is up against it, and he and the Nuggets are left with a decision to rest and prepare for the playoffs or take a chance at a fourth MVP and sixth top-two finish in a row. Plus, his streak of seven All-NBA teams in a row is at stake. It's quite the conundrum.
Jokic sat out of the Nuggets' 127-107 victory over the resting Oklahoma City Thunder, along with all of the starters for Denver. It came as somewhat of a surprise, given that the Nuggets needed a win to keep the pace ahead of the Lakers for the third seed in the Western Conference standings.
And now, Jokic has to play at least 15 minutes in the Nuggets' season finale against the Spurs just to qualify for the MVP. Anything less won't cut it. Rest, or MVP?
Jokic was starting to gain traction in the MVP race
Jokic had just picked up some steam in the MVP race, too. Hot off the heels of a historic 10-game stretch, Jokic picked up the MVP vote of Stan Van Gundy. SVGs voted for Jokic in prior years, but Jokic had also picked up backing from a column at The Ringer, too.
One backing is official, the other is still significant. Both show the tide's turning a bit.
Jokic will still lead the NBA in rebounding and assists, the first player to do so, but not be eligible for the MVP or All-NBA. All because he missed 16 games earlier this season with a knee injury. The first time in his career he's missed significant time.
It's a massive decision for the Nuggets
Head coach David Adelman said after the game that the decision-making process would likely involve the "front office, ownership, and Nikola." Everybody's going to have some voice in this decision, and they all should. They all have something to gain or lose.
For Jokic, obviously, the chance at a fourth MVP and All-NBA is at stake. For the Nuggets, it's the health risk in the final game of the regular season that Jokic could be hurt before the playoffs.
Plus, the Nuggets are playing for the three seed, which would put them on the opposite side of the playoff bracket from the Thunder. And based on history, the Nuggets want to be the third seed. The third seed has produced eight NBA champions to the fourth seed's one.
The decision facing Jokic and the Nuggets has huge implications all-around.