Few players in NBA history have sustained the kind of statistical dominance Nikola Jokić has produced in recent seasons, and he enters 2026/27 once again squarely in the MVP conversation.
## Last Season’s Numbers
Jokić averaged a full triple-double last season with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game, finishing as MVP runner-up behind back-to-back winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Our full MVP race breakdown covers exactly why Jokić remains one of the clearest challengers to Gilgeous-Alexander’s continued reign.
## A Rare Statistical Profile
Averaging a triple-double across a full season places Jokić in extraordinarily rare company in league history, and his combination of elite passing vision from the center position remains virtually unmatched among his positional peers.
## Why Denver Remains Dangerous
Jokić’s individual brilliance continues to anchor a Denver roster built around his unique skill set, and his ability to elevate teammates through his passing has made the Nuggets a perennial Western Conference threat, even amid a conference that now includes surging contenders in Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
## The MVP Race Entering This Season
With Gilgeous-Alexander chasing a third straight award and Victor Wembanyama emerging as a serious contender, Jokić’s path to another MVP trophy looks more competitive than in some previous seasons. Voter fatigue could also be a factor working against him after already winning the award multiple times in his career.
## Efficiency at an Elite Level
Beyond his counting stats, Jokić continues to rank among the league’s most efficient high-usage scorers, a combination of skill and basketball IQ that has made him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses regardless of scheme.
## What to Watch For
Denver’s win total and playoff seeding will likely play a significant role in how voters evaluate Jokić’s MVP case this season, given how heavily recent award voting has favored players on top-performing teams.
## The Bottom Line
Whether or not he adds another MVP trophy this season, Jokić’s sustained statistical dominance continues to place him among the most unique offensive talents the league has ever seen.