There’s a current frontrunner for the NBA’s MVP trophy this season and no, he doesn’t play for the Los Angeles Lakers nor the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ own triple-double machine. Jokic has been the Nuggets’ MVP throughout the season and continues to put up excellent numbers night in and out. 

How good has he been? Well, Jokic leads the Nuggets in only 10 key statistical categories.

The Joker was averaging 27.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game prior to their loss against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. The Nuggets’ 26-18 record could be the only factor that can weaken Jokic’s case for MVP. But clearly, he’s been the team's constant playmaker, scorer, passer, rebounder, and everything else the Nuggets want him to be.  

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Some believe the injuries to LeBron James and Joel Embiid could help Jokic lock up the MVP plum, but judging by the way Jokic has been balling, he doesn't need the absence of his fellow contenders to validate his case.

There’s no shocker as to how good the 26-year-old Jokic is since he continues to improve his game every year. Just ask Nuggets coach Mike Malone, who said himself that his center deserves to be the MVP this season. They may have started the NBA season pretty slow, but they’ve found a little bit of their stride after winning five of their past eight games since the All-Star break. 

By the looks of things, for Jokic to win his first MVP award, the Nuggets need to be at least in top three of the competitive Western Conference. Losing versus the Raptors definitely doesn't help, but Nikola Jokic and company still have a couple more games to bounce back and perhaps cement his case for the MVP trophy.