Nikola Jokic Forgotten: Will the NBA Star End Up Empty-Handed in All Awards Despite an Outstanding Season?

Nikola Jokić is in the midst of one of the most dominant offensive seasons in NBA history, yet the Denver Nuggets superstar may walk away from the 2024–25 campaign without a single major individual accolade. In a year that saw him average a historic triple-double and lead advanced metrics across the board, Jokić has already lost out on the Clutch Player of the Year award — and it appears the MVP may also be out of reach.

Nikola Jokić’s Triple-Double Season: A Statistical Masterclass

The Serbian big man has already etched his name into NBA lore by becoming only the third player in league history to average a triple-double over an entire season. Jokić averaged a staggering 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists across 70 games — a feat made more impressive by his position as a center, a rarity for such assist numbers.

Beyond the raw numbers, Jokić dominated advanced metrics:

• Player Efficiency Rating (PER): Ranked 4th-best in NBA history for a single season

• Box Plus-Minus (BPM): 2nd-highest in league history

• Value Over Replacement Player (VORP): Led the league by a wide margin

• Triple-Doubles: An NBA-leading 34 during the regular season

Despite these statistics, which reflect not only elite production but historic greatness, Jokić has not been rewarded proportionally. It raises questions about how the NBA currently evaluates success, and whether voter fatigue or team narratives have begun to overshadow actual performance.

Losing the Clutch Player of the Year Award: A Controversial Decision

On Wednesday, the NBA announced that Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks had won the Jerry West Trophy, awarded to the league’s most clutch player. The award is based on performance during “clutch time” — defined as the last five minutes of a game with a point differential of five or fewer.

While Brunson had an outstanding year, scoring 156 points on 52 field goals with a 51.5% field-goal percentage in clutch moments, Jokić’s own clutch stats were arguably just as impressive:

• 140 points in clutch time (4th in the league)

• 60.3% field goal percentage, best among the 20 players with at least 25 clutch shot attempts

• 36 assists, just one shy of Trae Young’s league-leading 37

• Top-3 in rebounds, assists, and field goals during clutch minutes

Despite ranking among the best in nearly every clutch category, Jokić was voted second, with Anthony Edwards finishing third. It’s the third year of the Jerry West Trophy’s existence, and once again, Jokić walks away empty-handed — despite placing 13th and 4th in previous years.

Why Jokić Might Also Lose the MVP Race

If the Clutch Player of the Year snub wasn’t enough, signs are pointing to another disappointment: the 2025 Most Valuable Player Award. According to various NBA insiders and early voting leaks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is expected to edge out Jokić for MVP.

Gilgeous-Alexander has undoubtedly had a phenomenal season, leading OKC to a league-best 68 wins while averaging 31.4 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. His case is bolstered by team success and his role in transforming the Thunder into a legitimate title contender.

However, the contrast in efficiency and all-around impact with Jokić is striking:

• Jokić had a significantly higher shooting percentage (62.5% eFG vs. 55.2% for Gilgeous-Alexander)

• Higher assist numbers and better rebounding

• Dominance in every major advanced stat, including PER, BPM, and VORP

In any other season, Jokić’s numbers would make him a shoo-in. But voter fatigue — stemming from Jokić already having two MVPs — and the NBA’s shifting narrative toward younger stars may be clouding objective assessment.

The Voter Fatigue Factor in Award Season

There’s a long history of voters subconsciously turning away from repeat winners in favor of newer storylines. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant all experienced seasons where they posted MVP-worthy performances but were overlooked due to voter fatigue or team dynamics.

Jokić, already a two-time MVP and the 2023 NBA Finals MVP, might be experiencing the same phenomenon. The expectation of greatness can ironically work against a player when it comes time for awards. In this case, consistent brilliance may have numbed voters to just how spectacular Jokić’s season truly is.

Team Record vs. Individual Brilliance: An Age-Old Debate

One of the primary arguments in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Jokić is team success. The Thunder’s 68 wins top the league, while the Nuggets finished with 58. But should that 10-win difference outweigh a statistically superior season?

The Nuggets dealt with injuries, including missing Jamal Murray for multiple stretches, and still remained a top contender in the West. Jokić’s ability to anchor both the offense and defense made Denver a force. In contrast, the Thunder benefited from a relatively healthy roster and a softer strength of schedule.

There’s also a legitimate case that no player in the league has a higher on-court impact than Jokić — especially when Denver’s offensive and defensive ratings with and without him are considered.

How Will History Remember This Season?

Whether Jokić wins the MVP or not, this season will be remembered as one of the greatest in NBA history. His statistical dominance, leadership, and impact on every facet of the game make his 2024–25 campaign a masterpiece.

However, awards are often how players’ legacies are quantified. If Jokić ends the year without the MVP or Clutch Player of the Year award, it could influence how future generations view this season — even if unfairly.

This leads to broader questions about how the NBA measures greatness. Is it purely stats and efficiency? Is it team success? Is it narrative-driven media hype? Or a blend of all the above?

Jokić’s Playoff Legacy Might Eclipse Regular Season Honors

The best way for Jokić to silence doubters and rewrite the narrative would be to dominate the postseason. He did just that in 2023 when he led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA title, averaging nearly 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in the playoffs.

If Jokić can deliver a repeat championship performance, his absence from regular-season accolades may become a footnote. After all, finals MVPs and titles often carry more historical weight than regular season awards.

Still, for a season this legendary, the lack of recognition feels unjust.

The Reaction Around the League and Among Fans

NBA Twitter, analysts, and fans alike have been divided. Some argue Brunson’s award was well-earned and that Gilgeous-Alexander deserves MVP for lifting the Thunder. Others claim Jokić is being snubbed for being “too good, too often,” and that his consistency is unfairly overlooked.

Even prominent players have weighed in subtly, liking tweets or reposting graphics that show Jokić’s statistical superiority.

As the MVP announcement looms, the buzz surrounding Jokić continues to grow — not for what he might win, but for what he shockingly might not.

Conclusion: A Greatness That Transcends Trophies

Nikola Jokić may not end the 2024–25 NBA season with a major regular-season trophy, but his greatness is undeniable. In a league rich with talent, he’s stood head and shoulders above the competition in terms of production, efficiency, and all-around impact.

While awards are important, they are not the only measure of legacy. Jokić’s brilliance has already changed how basketball is played and how centers are viewed. And as fans and historians reflect on this era, this season will undoubtedly be seen as one of the most complete campaigns in NBA history — regardless of whether it comes with a trophy.