Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook Gets Criticized After Michael Malone's Firing 3 Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) on the bench in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic Joins Boston Celtics Legend in Elite Company Despite 2025 MVP Snub

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 22, 2025 7:57 AM ET

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic lost out on this year’s NBA MVP award to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It would’ve been Jokic’s fourth MVP of his NBA career.

Jokic garnered 29 first-place votes and 71 second-place votes for 787 points, while Gilgeous-Alexander had 71 first-place votes and 29 second-place votes for 913 points.

However, despite finishing as the runner-up this season, Jokic joined some exclusive company. The Denver Nuggets star joins Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history to finish in the Top 2 in MVP voting in five consecutive years, per Statmuse.

May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) as he passes the ball in the first quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Jokic guided the Denver Nuggets to a 50-32 regular season record . His team defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round but lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.

Denver Nuggets News: Nikola Jokic’s MVP snub gets positive message from Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard congratulated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for winning this season’s MVP trophy. The former NBA center also lauded Nikola Jokic, with whom he had his share of frontcourt duels.

Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

“Shai

but Jokic is still the greatest mvp snub of all time good worker Joker,” Howard posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The Denver Nuggets star averaged a triple-double for the first time. Jokic posted 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals on 58/42/80 shooting splits across 70 regular season starts.