Former Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Donovan Mitchell gushes over MVP favorite Nikola Jokic

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/18/23

Donovan Mitchell is having a career year in his first campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but even he can't deny the year Nikola Jokic is having for the Denver Nuggets.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday ahead of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Utah, Mitchell gushed over Jokic's big year.

"I obviously want to win the award for sure, but I can't lie. I don't know if you all been watching what Jokic's been doing. It's f------ outrageous, to be honest," Mitchell said. "I don't know how many people have won it three times in a row - I definitely feel like I'm in that conversation as well — but he's otherworldly right now."

Donovan Mitchell on Nikola Jokic for MVP: “I don’t know if you’ve all been watching what Jokic’s been doing. It’s f****** outrageous, to be honest. I don’t know how many people have won it 3 times in a row, but he’s other worldly right now.”

He also highly praised Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/XsbpRjCXNH
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 18, 2023

Jokic is having another incredible season for the Nuggets. The eighth-year pro ranks third in the NBA in assists (10.1), sixth in rebounds (11.5) and field goal percentage (63.2), and 19th in points per game (24.7), carrying Denver to the best record (41-18) in the Western Conference at the break.

While praising Jokic, Mitchell acknowledged Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid for their standout campaigns, giving special props to the 76ers' big man.

"I think Joel needs to be highly regarded as well. I think he gets highly disrespected," Mitchell said. "He's a guy who consistently every night puts on for his crew, and even the past year with the whole Ben [Simmons] situation not knowing who was going to be on the floor, and he continues to carry this team. I think he deserves a lot of respect."

Like Jokic, Embiid is having a monster year in Philly. Behind Embiid, ranked second in the league in scoring (31.1) and ninth in rebounds (10.2), the Sixers are in third place in the Eastern Conference (38-19), three games behind the first-place Boston Celtics (42-17), who own the best record in the league.

According to Oddschecker, Jokic (-230) is the overwhelming front-runner for MVP, followed by Embiid (+600) and Antetokounmpo (+700).

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