Nikola Jokic continues to make history in the NBA.
On Wednesday, before Game 2 of the New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers series in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Denver Nuggets big man was named the 2024 recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the third time in his career.
"Got to start with the teammates. Without them, I cannot do nothing," Jokic said on TNT's "Inside the NBA" on Wednesday after earning the award. "So coaches, players, organization, medical staff, development coaches, it's all one big circle. But I cannot be whatever I'm without them."
REQUIRED READING:Nuggets' Nikola Jokic wins third NBA MVP award in four seasons
The nine-year NBA veteran beat out Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the voting by a total of 286 votes (64 first-place votes) for the award. The Dallas Mavericks' Luka Donic, Knicks' Jalen Brunson and the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo rounded out the top five in the voting.
Jokic is averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and nine assists per game this season. He brings 25 triple-doubles into Thursday's Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in which the Nuggets look to avoid going down 3-0.
Here's what you need to know about Jokic's MVP history:
After being recognized as the 2024 NBA MVP, Jokic has now won the award three times, including in three of the last four seasons (2021, 2022 and 2024). The only year he did not win it was in 2023, as Philadelphia 76ers forward Joel Embiid won the award.
As noted by ESPN, "the Joker" is the first center since Baketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to win the MVP award three times in a four-year span.
Jokic joins an elite class of NBA players with his third award, becoming just the ninth player to win three or more MVP awards in the history of the NBA. He is the first since LeBron James did it in 2012 as a member of the Miami Heat.
Here's the full list of NBA players who have won the MVP award on three or more occasions according to the NBA:
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