The NBA MVP award is the most prestigious individual honor that a superstar can receive in their career. Nikola Jokic is pretty familiar with the hardware.
The Denver Nuggets superstar has been the recipient of three MVP trophies in his already legendary career. However, Jokic will not be adding a fourth to his collection.
Shams Charania could not help but ruin the surprise of who won the award. The announcement was slated for Wednesday night. Charania, being the league's top insider, reported well ahead of time who would be crowned NBA MVP.
Charania announced on Twitter/X that sources confirmed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the 2024-25 NBA MVP. It is the first of his career. Jokic is expected to finish second in the race when official voting results are revealed.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Nuggets fans react to NBA MVP results
To no one's surprise, Nuggets fans were not happy to see their guy lose out on adding some hardware. Jokic accomplished several historic feats in 2024-25, including being the first player to finish top three in points, rebounds, and assists per game.
Charania did point out on Twitter/X that Gilgeous-Alexander accomplished some history of his own with this MVP trophy. The Thunder point guard joined Michael Jordan in rare company.
" First MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the No. 1-seed Thunder to a league-high 68 wins and became the second player in NBA history to average at least 30 points on 50% shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game along with Michael Jordan (1987-88, 1990-91)."
-Shams Charania
However, Nuggets fans are not simply going to let that stop them from voicing their displeasure with the award. Many believe Jokic is deserving of five-straight MVPs at this point.
Did voter fatigue keep the Nuggets center from an even greater all-time run at the top? Perhaps it did. However, maybe fans can find comfort in their own superstar's likely disinterest.