So far in May, Nikola Jokic has been averaging 31.3 points per game, 11.7 rebounds per game, and 6.0 assists per game.
Nikola Jokic is further solidifying his leading position in the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
In a matchup against the New York Knicks and fellow Kia MVP candidate Julius Randle on Wednesday, Jokic wasted no time establishing dominance. Racking up a career-high 24 points in the opening quarter, Jokic connected on a scorching 8-for-9 showing from the floor and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line as Denver built an early 24-point lead en route to a 113-97 win.
Jokic’s impressive first quarter was a record for him, scoring the most points he’s ever achieved in any quarter of his career. It also marked the highest points scored in a single quarter by a Denver player since Emmanuel Mudiay’s 24-point achievement in 2016.
“Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated, “With the number of our players out, it’s crucial for Nikola to take charge. His achievement of 32 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two additional steals, and two additional blocks in just 29 minutes exemplifies a highly efficient night.”
Let’s not forget Denver continues to play without two starters and its sixth man, which apparently gives Jokic all the more reason to ramp up the production. With Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets remain in the thick of the chase with the LA Clippers for No. 3 in the Western Conference.
On Wednesday, Nikola Jokic dominated the Knicks in a blowout victory.
“When he’s in that form, we simply relax,” said Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets’ forward. “We just pass the ball to him and take it easy, allowing him to do his thing. No NBA center can defend against him in a one-on-one situation. We just leave it to him. We relish his assertiveness in such situations. We really enjoy it when he scores at will.”
Jokic maintains his NBA lead this season in double-doubles with 56 in 66 outings, and the veteran big man threw down four dunks in the first quarter of Wednesday’s victory over the Knicks.
“Tonight’s performance was a perfect illustration and affirmation of why Nikola Jokic is the MVP,” stated Malone. “Our success is largely due to having an exceptional player like him. We are fortunate to have many talented players supporting him, but tonight, Nikola was the one who really set the pace.”
And now, the Top 5 this week in the 2020-21 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder:
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 26.4 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 8.4 apg, 1.4 spg
In a loss to the Lakers, Nikola Jokic accumulated 32 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
It appears the award is all but locked up for Jokic, who continues to elevate Denver’s supporting cast night after night. Jokic has produced 13 games this season with 30 points or more and 10-plus rebounds, which registers as a single-season franchise record. He’s led the Nuggets in scoring, rebounds and assists in 22 games this season. Antetokounmpo did that in 21 games during his 2018-19 Kia MVP season, while Russell Westbrook strung together 40 such games when he won the award for the 2016-17 season. “He’s the MVP,” new Nuggets addition Austin Rivers said. Perhaps so.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 29.1 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.4 bpg
Against the Rockets, Joel Embiid recorded 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Embiid wrecked the Houston Rockets on Wednesday for 34 points and 12 rebounds in just 25 minutes as the Sixers rolled to their sixth consecutive victory. The game marked Embiid’s 15th 30-point, 10-rebound game this season, which ranks second in 2020-21 only to Giannis Antetokounmpo (who has 16 such games). Embiid has averaged a double-double through three games in May. The way Embiid and Jokic keep performing in this big-man duel for Kia MVP is catching the attention of Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, who believes it’s time for the award to shift back to the players dominating the paint.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 28.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 5.9 apg
Kevin Durant, with 32 points, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with 36 points, faced each other in Milwaukee for the second time in three days.
What a week for Antetokounmpo. He outscored Kevin Durant 49-42 on Sunday in a win over Brooklyn, only to follow that two days later with 36 points and 12 rebounds in another victory over the Nets. The win put Milwaukee within striking distance of the Nets in the Eastern Conference standings, but keep in mind the Bucks own the tiebreaker between the teams. Antetokounmpo then helped the Bucks capture their fourth-straight win Wednesday on the back end of a back-to-back. Check out this touching interview with the great Bucks broadcaster Jim Paschke to get a little more insight into Antetokounmpo’s personal side.
4. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Last week’s ranking: No.4
Season stats: 16.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 8.8 apg, 1.4 spg
In an OT victory against the Cavs, Chris Paul scored 23 points and made 16 assists.
Celebrated his 36th birthday on Thursday — check out LeBron James’ birthday note to Paul on Instagram — a day after struggling through a 3-for-11 shooting night in a 135-103 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Prior to that setback, the Suns had won five in a row in large part due to Paul’s leadership and clutch play in tight games. Going into Friday’s game against the Knicks, the Suns appear to have a firm grasp on the No. 2 spot in the West as they sit three games ahead of the Nuggets in the standings.
5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 28.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 8.9 apg, 1.0 spg
In a victory over Brooklyn, Luka Doncic ends up with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
Despite having a tough shooting night, Doncic managed to lead the Mavs to their fifth victory in six games, scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a 113-109 win over the Brooklyn Nets, even as Kyrie Irving scored 45 points. “It was one of the worst games I’ve played, but we got a win,” admitted Doncic. Despite boasting career highs in assists (8.9), 3-point percentage (35.7%) and field goal percentage (48.4%), Doncic recognizes the need to maintain his performance as the regular season draws to a close, to keep the Lakers and Trail Blazers from surpassing his team in the standings.
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The Next Five:
6. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
7. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
8. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
9. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
10. Julius Randle, New York Knicks
And five more: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers; Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz; Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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