Joker Claims Back-to-Back MVPs

05/10/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic Wins 2nd Straight MVP Award Over Joel Embiid

No surprise here. The Denver Nuggets’ big man Nikola Jokic secured his second straight MVP award on Monday after another astonishing statistical season. Jokic power Denver to the 6-seed in the Western Conference despite being without his two biggest co-stars — Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. — for most or all of the season due to injury. He’s the 15th player in league history to win multiple MVPs, and he’s the second straight to win back-to-back MVPs after Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Jokic narrowly won the vote over Joel Embiid (76ers) and Antetokounmpo.

 

Nikola Jokic’s Stats

Points: 27.1 ppg

Rebounds: 13.8 rpg

Assists: 7.9 apg

 

Jokic’s Historic Season: The 27-year-old Serbian became the first player in NBA history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a single season. He led the league with 19 triple-doubles.

 

What Comes Next: After getting ousted by the Warriors in the first round, the Nuggets expect to get Murray and Porter Jr. back, and Jokic is eligible for a supermax extension worth $254 million guaranteed.

 

Additional Storylines

B/R: NBA Twitter Reacts to 2022 MVP Announcement

NBA: Nikola Jokic Finishes Season at Top in Memorable MVP Chase

 

Photo: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images