The Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic is the frontrunner of the 2025-26 Regular Season MVP race. However, his long absence from the court due to a knee injury led to doubts about his 65-game eligibility this season. But Nuggets fans were delighted to see the Serbian back on the court in their game against the LA Clippers on January 30. After registering a win on his return, Jokic was asked about his thoughts on his eligibility for NBA awards.
Jokic’s target for return was Sunday’s game against the OKC Thunder to remain in contention for the awards. He was back one game early for it, but seemed unfazed about this in the post-game conference. He was asked:
“Does Nikola Jokić care about award eligibility? Was he even aware of it?”
The three-time MVP replied:
“Not even a little bit.”
Even though the Serbian center was off the court for a month, he was back just where he left. Jokic led the Nuggets to another win with 31 points and 12 rebounds, with help from Jamal Murray, 20 points and nine assists, and Tim Hardaway Jr., who added 22 points, shooting 5-7 from the 3-point line. Together, they stopped the winning train the LA Clippers were aboard for the last 10 games, losing just two.
The MVP candidate is averaging triple-double numbers again (29.7-12.2-10.8) after achieving the feat last season. There is no doubt about whether he deserves the award. Luka Doncic of the Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, and Jaylen Brown of the Celtics are other contenders for the award this season.
“I was yelling at the TV,” Nikola Jokic opens up about missing so many games
The winning mentality and the love for the game are the two things that have put Nikola Jokic above others thus far. He has played more than 70 games every season of his career and led the Nuggets to new heights, even winning a championship in 2023.
Jokic showed some of that mentality in the post-game press conference when he was asked about missing games for a month. The Nuggets center replied:
“Watching just the game, it was taking so much of my energy like I was yelling at the TV. I was so emotionally empty after the games and then I decided like last 2 games I’m just gonna try to chill and like watch the game.”
The Denver Nuggets are looking good for another deep playoff run this season. Jamal Murray has performed brilliantly in the absence of the team’s superstar, as the Nuggets won 10 of their 16 games since Jokic was sidelined.
The bench has also looked good with Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valančiūnas, and Bruce Brown giving crucial minutes and keeping the offense going. Although Jokic was unaffected by his eligibility for awards, fans would be happy to see him contend for his fourth MVP title. Do you think he will win the accolade again?
READ MORE: “Doesn’t Really Flop”: Bam Adebayo Makes His Feelings Known About Playing vs Nikola Jokic
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