Nikola Jokic officially named NBA MVP finalist for 2021-22 season

“The Joker” is one of three finalists, along with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid

Apr 17, 2022, 6:49 PM Updated: 6:54 pm

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Nikola Jokic is one step closer to history.

The Nuggets center, and reigning Most Valuable Player in the NBA, has been named a finalist to win the award again in the 2021-22 season. “The Joker” is one of three finalists, along with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid.

An official date for the announcement of the award has not been made public, but the league did state TNT will announce the winner during its coverage of the NBA Playoffs.

The NBA’s top honors are voted on by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, with each voter’s complete ballot being made public following the announcement of all end-of-season awards.

Jokic is already the only NBA MVP in franchise history (Spencer Haywood was named ABA MVP in 1970). Should he receive the honor again this season, he would become the first multiple-time MVP in Denver history among the four major professional sports.

Jokic has a strong case to repeat, increasing his points and rebounds per game from last year’s MVP campaign and doing so without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. for the majority of the season.
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