Most MVP awards in NBA history: Where Nikola Jokic's third win ranks among Michael Jordan, LeBron James

Gilbert McGregor

Most MVP awards in NBA history: Where Nikola Jokic's third win ranks among Michael Jordan, LeBron James image

Nikola Jokic has etched his name in history as the 2024 NBA MVP.

Earning his third NBA MVP award in the last four years, Jokic has placed himself in rarefied air as the ninth player to win the award three or more times.

At 29, Jokic is firmly in the prime of his NBA career and will continue to be in MVP conversations in the coming years. He has already cemented himself as the greatest second-round pick of all time and, as he continues to pile up accolades, adds to a resume comparable to the all-time greats.

Here is where Jokic's MVP awards stack up among some of the greatest to ever play the game.

MORE: Could NBA players play in the NFL? Here's 30 we'd like to see try

Most MVP awards by player

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been named MVP more than any other NBA player. Abdul-Jabbar, who won the award six times, is one of nine players to be named MVP at least three times.

The NBA MVP award is named in honor of Michael Jordan, who is tied with Bill Russell for second-most MVP awards with five.

RankPlayerMVPsYears won
1.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar61971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980
2.Michael Jordan 51988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998
 Bill Russell51958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965
4.LeBron James42009, 2010, 2012, 2013
 Wilt Chamberlain41960, 1966, 1967, 1968
6.Nikola Jokic32021, 2022, 2024
 Magic Johnson31987, 1989, 1990
 Larry Bird31984, 1985, 1986
 Moses Malone31979, 1982, 1983

MORE: Nuggets have no answers for Timberwolves' size, defense and Anthony Edwards

NBA MVP award winners by year

Jokic is the most recent back-to-back MVP award winner. His quest for a third consecutive MVP award was thwarted by 76ers center Joel Embiid, MVP of the 2022-23 season, but Jokic claimed his third in four years in 2024.

Bill Russell (1961, 1962, 1963), Wilt Chamberlain (1966, 1967, 1968) and Larry Bird (1984, 1985, 1986) are the only players to win the award three consecutive times.

YearWinner
2024Nikola Jokic
2023Joel Embiid
2022Nikola Jokic
2021Nikola Jokic
2020Giannis Antetokounmpo
2019Giannis Antetokounmpo
2018James Harden
2017Russell Westbrook
2016Stephen Curry
2015Stephen Curry
2014Kevin Durant
2013LeBron James
2012LeBron James
2011Derrick Rose
2010LeBron James
2009LeBron James
2008Kobe Bryant
2007Dirk Nowitzki
2006Steve Nash
2005Steve Nash
2004Kevin Garnett
2003Tim Duncan
2002Tim Duncan
2001Allen Iverson
2000Shaquille O'Neal
1999Karl Malone
1998Michael Jordan
1997Karl Malone
1996Michael Jordan
1995David Robinson
1994Hakeem Olajuwon
1993Charles Barkley
1992Michael Jordan
1991Michael Jordan
1990Magic Johnson
1989Magic Johnson
1988Michael Jordan
1987Magic Johnson
1986Larry Bird
1985Larry Bird
1984Larry Bird
1983Moses Malone
1982Moses Malone
1981Julius Erving
1980Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1979Moses Malone
1978Bill Walton
1977Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1976Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1975Bob McAdoo
1974Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1973Dave Cowens
1972Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1971Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1970Willis Reed
1969Wes Unseld
1968Wilt Chamberlain
1967Wilt Chamberlain
1966Wilt Chamberlain
1965Bill Russell
1964Oscar Robertson
1963Bill Russell
1962Bill Russell
1961Bill Russell
1960Wilt Chamberlain
1959Bob Pettit
1958Bill Russell
1957Bob Cousy
1956Bob Pettit

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.