Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic named MVP of 2020-21 NBA season

Scott Rafferty

Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic named MVP of 2020-21 NBA season image

It's official: Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic has been named Most Valuable Player of the 2020-21 NBA season.

 

Jokic appeared in all 72 games with the Nuggets this season, posting career-highs across the board of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists on .566/.388/.868 shooting splits. The three-time All-Star led the league with 60 double-doubles and ranked second behind only Russell Westbrook (38) with 16 triple-doubles.

The Nuggets finished the season with a 47-25 record behind Jokic's play, good for third in the Western Conference.

MORE: Celebrating Jokic's MVP season

The No. 41 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Jokic is the lowest draft pick in NBA history to win the award. He's also the first player in franchise history to be named MVP.

Jokic finished with 91 first-place votes and 971 total points, beating out Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, who recorded one first-place vote and 586 total points. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen curry finished third with five first-place votes and 453 total points.

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Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.