May 22, 2025 | By SlamWire Sports
The 2024–25 NBA MVP race was the tightest, most hotly contested battle in recent memory — and while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walked away with the trophy, Nikola Jokić once again walked into the history books.
Though he narrowly missed claiming a fourth MVP award, the Denver Nuggets’ superstar center joined Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird in a rarefied air that speaks volumes about his enduring greatness.
Jokić has now finished top-two in MVP voting for five consecutive seasons — a feat only matched by Bird during his iconic stretch from 1981 to 1986.
Let that sink in. Only two men in NBA history have maintained that level of dominance, consistency, and value to their teams over a half-decade span: one redefined forward play in the ’80s, the other is reshaping how the center position is viewed in the modern era.
A Historic MVP Race — And a Bittersweet Ending
The MVP showdown between Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander was electric. Both stars put up MVP-caliber seasons:
•Jokić: 26.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 9.1 APG
•SGA: 31.4 PPG, 6.2 APG, 5.5 RPG, 50/39/91 shooting splits
There were calls for a rare co-MVP. There was endless debate on social media, across sports networks, and in barbershops from Belgrade to Brooklyn. And just when fans awaited the league’s official announcement at 7:00 p.m. EST Wednesday night, ESPN’s Senior Insider Shams Charania dropped the bomb — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had won the MVP, the first of his career.
It was a moment of celebration for the Thunder — and a gut punch to Jokić’s loyal legion of fans.
But in classic Jokić fashion, there were no complaints, no headlines, no drama. Just another line in the record books and a quiet nod toward legacy.
Joining the Legend: Bird and Jokić, Two Sides of the Same Coin
Larry Bird dominated the 1980s as the face of a dynasty. From 1981 through 1986, he finished in the top two of MVP voting every single year, winning the award three times in a row from 1984 to 1986. That level of sustained impact had remained unmatched — until now.
Nikola Jokić’s streak began in 2021, when he captured his first MVP. He repeated in 2022. In 2023, he was runner-up to Joel Embiid. In 2024, he returned to the top. And now, in 2025, he finishes just behind SGA — but still firmly in elite company.
“You’re talking about one of the most gifted, unselfish, cerebral players the game has ever seen,” said Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. “MVP or not, Jokić is the heartbeat of everything we do. And he’s not slowing down.”
A Game Built to Last
Unlike players whose production dips with lost athleticism, Jokić’s brilliance lies in his mind, his touch, and his vision — all traits that tend to age like wine. As he enters his 30s, there’s no reason to believe his MVP-caliber play is anywhere close to ending.
With just one more top-two finish, Jokić will tie Bird’s historic six-year streak — and possibly surpass it. Considering his current form, it’s not a question of if — but when.
“Legacy isn’t always defined by trophies,” said NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins. “Sometimes it’s the consistency, the elevation of teammates, the way you change the game. That’s Jokić.”
Final Word
While the 2025 MVP went to a deserving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the real story might be the sustained, generational dominance of Nikola Jokić. The Serbian superstar now shares a chapter of history with one of the game’s all-time greats — and he’s still writing.
Don’t let the lack of a trophy fool you. Nikola Jokić remains one of the most valuable, impactful, and unstoppable forces the league has ever seen.
