Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić had a historic night that not only made NBA history but also significantly improved his odds in the 2024-25 NBA MVP race.
Jokić achieved a rare 30-20-20 game during the Nuggets’ 149-141 overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. This remarkable feat, never before seen in the NBA, was even more impressive considering Jokić had been questionable to play due to an ankle injury.
Following his exceptional performance, Jokić’s MVP odds received a substantial boost, moving him to +210, just behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently sits at -285 according to BetMGM.
At the start of the season, Jokić was listed at +450 for the MVP award, which had improved to +350 last week and then dropped to +550 earlier this week. However, with his outstanding 30-20-20 display, many now believe he has a strong chance of securing his fourth MVP title with a strong finish to the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads the NBA in scoring with 32.8 points per game, was at -1000 for MVP when Jokić was at +550. However, following Jokić’s standout performance, Gilgeous-Alexander’s odds have shifted to -285.
In addition to his unprecedented triple-double, Jokić also surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most assists by a center, formerly set at 21. The all-time record for assists in a game is held by Scott Skiles with 30, achieved in 1990.