Does Jokic’s historical triple-double give him a boost in the MVP race?

Do not get me wrong; I am not suggesting that people should or have written off Nikola Jokic from the MVP race. But after his performance on Sunday against Charlotte, the Joker reminded us why he is the back-to-back regular season MVP and that he is not going anywhere. If 40 points are not already impressive, Jokic punched in a career-high 27 rebounds (20 at halftime) and dished out ten assists as the Nuggets edged the Hornets 119-115.

Try that for your 81st career triple-double and fifth of the season. Everybody who pays attention to basketball knows that Jokic can score with ease, as well as spread the floor and make plays for his teammates. Jokic is averaging 10.9 boards per game this season but nearly tripled it on a cheat-code-like performance.

“I didn’t know it was a 40-27-10 night but I knew he was having another Nikola Jokic stellar performance, efficient”, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told the media. “And it’s not just about Nikola. It’s about his ability to make every one of his teammates better. Yeah, Nikola is a generational talent.”

Jokic joins an elite group

Did coach Malone have to say it? Jokic being a generational talent is common knowledge to NBA fans everywhere. And with Sunday’s performance, the 27-year-old joins an elite club of players to record a similar stat line in the league. The only other two players to record at least 40 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single game are Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.

Chamberlain, who is known to the masses for being the only NBA player to score 100 points in a game, achieved this rare triple-double feat four times in his career. Chamberlain’s 53 points, 32 rebounds, and 14 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 18, 1968, was the last time the feat was achieved prior to Jokic. 54 years later, the Serbian superstar has added another piece to his growing collection of milestones.

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Can Jokic win MVP for a third straight year?

It is way too early to give a definitive answer. And with the amount of talent in the league and the seasons they are having, it can become a handful to try and pay attention to every single MVP candidate. “Let your game do the talking”, is a common saying in sports, and that is exactly what Jokic did last night.

With players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Jayson Tatum having stellar campaigns, the MVP race warrants a big screen and a bowl of popcorn. The NBA’s latest KIA MVP Ladder update also added Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson to the conversation. Additionally, Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis are both out due to injuries. The race to the top change fate at any given moment. The NBA’s Michael Wright listed Tatum as the front-runner and the Greek Freak right behind him. Sitting quietly on the third spot, you guessed it, Jokic.

Jokic does not have a flashy personality like some NBA players. He comes across as someone who came to play basketball and does it very well. Back in May, Jokic received his second regular season MVP award. While those before him had formal ceremonies, put on a nice suit, and gave a speech in front of teammates, coaches, family, friends, and the media, Jokic accepted his award in a horse stable in his home country of Serbia. His laid-back, no-nonsense persona might be a factor as to why it appears as though fans have not paid much attention to him this season. Or maybe because he is the back-to-back MVP and could get a third, fans just want someone else to win. Either way, his value shows as the Nuggets are currently third in the West. Performances like the one he had on Sunday are his way of reminding us that he is still very much present and in the running.

A man of few words, Jokic simply said “I mean, of course [the] opposing team has to miss the shots, and I was there, in the right spot”, when asked about his 27 rebounds.