NBA MVP race is far from over as Nikola Jokic continues to strengthen his case

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the frontrunner to win MVP, but if you listen carefully, Nikola Jokic is ambling near on his Serbian horse.

On Monday, the Nuggets star recorded another historic stat line to build on arguably the best season of his career. Jokic is on pace for the most efficient season in NBA history with a player efficiency rating (PER) of 33.08, surpassing the previous benchmark of 32.85 that he set in 2021-22.

Even beyond advanced metrics, Jokic is notching counting stats that defy logic. Averaging 29.2 points, 12.6 rebounds and a career-high 10.4 assists, he is on track to become the first center ever to average a triple-double. The mindblowing part is he's attempting only 19.3 shots. 

According to Yahoo Sports' Ben Rohrbach, Jokic would outshine Wilt Chamberlain's 1961-62 season — the greatest statistical season in history — if he were more selfish. "The Big Dipper" averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds from 48.5 minutes that year but contributed 46.5% of the Philadelphia Warriors' point output. In comparison, Jokic has contributed to more than 47% of the Nuggets' points this season. 

"Chamberlain attempted 39.5 field goals and 17 free throws per game in 1962 — more than twice as many as Jokic. If Jokic took that many shots, he would, statistically, be averaging 61.4 points per game," wrote the statistican.

Jokic's stats are too compelling to ignore, and they could force voters to consider their options carefully before casting their final ballots in April. After Jokic's 19-assist performance on Monday, the NBA TV crew explained why the Nuggets star should still be the frontrunner to win the award.