The Denver Nuggets currently find themselves in an unenviable position as they trail their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 0-2. Not only that, but they lost both games at home and now face the daunting prospect of  must win games on the road. But prior to Game 3 tipoff, the Nuggets received good news when it was announced that Nikola Jokic had won his third MVP Award. Video caught the moment when Jokic found out the news and it he celebrated the award in true Jokic fashion.

Jokic, who has famously endeared himself among NBA fans for not getting very hyped about much, reacted to the MVP news wit ha simple grin and a fist bump in the air while among family and team staff. His one word answer to the win: ‘excited.'

Jokic won his first MVP award during the 2021-22 season. He followed that up with back to back wins during the 2022-23 season. Ever since the Nuggets were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 playoffs, Jokic has been on a tear.

Jokic finished with 79 first place votes for MVP. He was followed by Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished second and Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic who finished third. The top five was rounded out by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokoumpo and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson.

Nikola Jokic cementing himself as Nuggets GOAT

The Nuggets have had a few Hall of Fame caliber players suit up for the franchise such as David Thompson, Alex English, Carmelo Anthony, Dan Issel, Dikembe Mutombo and Fat Lever to name a few. But when it's all said and done, Nikola Jokic will go down as the greatest player to ever play for the Nuggets.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (1) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) defend in the first quarter during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The main thing Jokic has going for him is that he is the only star that brought the Nuggets a championship. Prior to last season, the Nuggets had never even appeared in the NBA Finals. During the 2022-23 playoff run, Jokic averaged 30.0 points per game, 13.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocked shots with splits of 54.8 percent shooting from the field, a playoff career high 46.1 percent shooting from the three point line and 79.9 percent shooting from the free throw line.

During the past couple of seasons, Jokic has also etched his name in the NBA history books by matching or surpassing a few records that were held by the late Wilt Chamberlain.

And now, Jokic can truly prove his greatness if he is able to lead the Nuggets out of this 0-2 hole the currently find themselves in. During the 2024 playoffs so far, Jokic has been averaging 27.0 points per game, 15.0 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.3 steals with splits of 54.2 percent shooting from the field, 28.6 percent shooting from the three point line and a playoff career high 95.1 percent shooting from the free throw line.

Jokic has been named to six consecutive All-Star appearances now and that number will only continue to grow as he is in the prime of his career. Whenever he retires, he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.