Nikola Jokic, center for the Denver Nuggets, has solidified his place among NBA legends by clinching the league’s Most Valuable Player award for the third time.

The Serbian athlete, previously crowned MVP in 2021 and 2022 and finishing as the runner-up last year, becomes just the ninth player in NBA history to secure the award three or more times.

Notable names such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with a record six MVP titles, Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell with five each, as well as Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James with four apiece, stand alongside Jokic in this elite category.

Joining the ranks of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Moses Malone, Jokic expressed the significance of the achievement, stating, “It’s a special moment I’m probably going to remember my whole life. It’s – I like to say – a legacy for after [your] career.”

In the MVP voting, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder secured second place, while Luka Doncic, guard for the Dallas Mavericks, landed in third.

This season, Jokic has maintained impressive averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and nine assists, while notching an impressive 25 triple-doubles.

In a remarkable feat, he became only the second player in NBA history to achieve over 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 700 assists in a single regular season, propelling the defending NBA champions to a second-place finish in the Western Conference.

Despite the Nuggets’ strong regular-season performance, they find themselves trailing 2-0 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the best-of-seven conference semi-final.

In Wednesday’s Eastern Conference semi-final clash, Jalen Brunson’s resilience proved pivotal in sparking a comeback victory for the New York Knicks against the Indiana Pacers.

Brunson suffered a right foot injury in the first half when the Knicks were leading 24-17. During his absence, the team fell behind 73-63. However, his return in the third quarter saw him contribute 24 points, propelling the Knicks to a 130-121 win and a commanding 2-0 series lead.