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Nikola Jokic Had Very On-Brand Reaction to Winning Third NBA MVP Award

This video of the Nuggets star learning he was the 2023–24 NBA MVP is an instant classic.

Tom Dierberger

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Nikola Jokić reacted to the news of winning his third career NBA MVP award on Wednesday as only he could.

The Denver Nuggets social media team posted a video of Jokić watching the MVP announcement on TNT alongside teammate Jamal Murray. When NBA analyst Charles Barkley named Jokić as the winner, the video panned over to the now three-time MVP, who half-heartedly raised his left hand in celebration.

Jokić has collected quite the highlight reel of his rather uninterested reactions to basketball achievements during his nine-year NBA career. After winning his first title last year, Jokić appeared frustrated when he was told he had to stay in Denver for the championship parade instead of going home to tend to his beloved horses.

Jokić took back those comments at the championship parade in an incredible soundbite.

“You know that I told that I don’t want to stay and parade,” Jokić said. “But I f------ want to stay and parade. This is the best day of my f------ life. This is amazing.”

Maybe Jokić has a special follow-up quote planned to combat his nonchalant reaction to winning his third career MVP.

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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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