Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka shared his take on this year’s MVP race between Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic.

After Jokic’s 61-point triple-double this week, strengthening his case for a potential fourth MVP award, Udoka pointed to Nikola’s numbers as an overwhelming factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. However, winning does matter.

Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Thunder to the top of the Western Conference, where Oklahoma City has remained all season. Amid an 11-game winning streak, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder (63-12) have the best record in the NBA. Before facing the Thunder, Udoka addressed the conundrum between the top-two MVP candidates.

“Winning plays a part in it, but numbers do as well. It’s impressive what Jokic is doing. He’s achieved it before and doing even better as far as that,” Udoka said. “But like I said, winning plays a part as well. You got to look at it in those two ways. They’re both having great seasons.”

Jokic, averaging a triple-double all season (29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists), has led the Nuggets to the third-best record (47-30) in the Western Conference behind Ime Udoka and the Rockets in second. Trailing the Thunder by 17.5 games, the Nuggets have positioned themselves for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs despite losing six of their last 10 games.

Still, the MVP race between him and Gilgeous-Alexander remains close as both players reach the final stretch of the 2024-25 campaign.

Nikola Jokic defends Russell Westbrook after Nuggets lose in OT

Related Denver Nuggets NewsArticle continues below
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander warms up before game one of the western conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center with Nuggets' Nikola Jokic in the background
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bold plan after beating Nikola Jokic for MVP
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center
Nikola Jokic joins historic Larry Bird company despite MVP snub
uggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

After Nuggets veteran Russell Westbrook committed two late-game blunders in the Nuggets’ 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, All-Star Nikola Jokic came to his defense. After missing a critical layup after stealing the ball with around 13 seconds left, Westbrook fouled the Timberwolves’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who was shooting a three.

On the night Jokic notched a 61-point triple-double, he defended Westbrook’s late-game mistakes after the loss.

“It happened; it’s basketball,” said Jokic. “I’m pretty sure that he didn’t want to make a foul or whatever. It happens. He had the best, I would say, thoughts. It happens.”

Jokic finished with 61 points on 18 of 29 attempts, including 6-of-11 from deep and 19-of-24 from the free-throw line, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Westbrook’s 12 points, seven assists, and two blocks led the Nuggets’ second unit. Then, the Nuggets surrendered another defeat in a 113-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Jokic, Westbrook, and the Nuggets will look to bounce back from their losses against the Warriors.