Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama Lead NBA MVP Race: Finalists Revealed
The NBA announced its 2023-24 Most Valuable Player finalists on Tuesday, spotlighting Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama as the league’s top candidates for the prestigious award.
Jokić seeks his third MVP in four years after averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game this season, leading the Nuggets to the Western Conference’s best record at 57-25. His historic triple-double dominance—recording 29 such performances, the most in a single season since Oscar Robertson’s 1961-62 campaign—underscores his all-around impact.
Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as Oklahoma City’s engine, posting 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game even as guiding the Thunder to a 57-25 record and the second seed in the West. His scoring efficiency—50.8% from the field, and 38.7% from three—paired with elite playmaking made him the cornerstone of Oklahoma City’s youngest playoff team in franchise history.
Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 French phenom, delivered a historic rookie season averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He became the first rookie ever to record at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, 200 blocks, and 50 assists in a season, anchoring San Antonio’s defensive transformation and helping the Spurs climb from the league’s worst record to a play-in tournament berth.
The award voting, conducted by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, will conclude before the NBA Playoffs begin on April 20, with the winner unveiled during the NBA Awards show on May 6. Jokić, the two-time defending MVP, enters as the favorite, though Gilgeous-Alexander’s breakout season and Wembanyama’s unprecedented rookie impact have intensified the debate.
As the regular season concludes, all three finalists remain focused on postseason success. Jokić and the Nuggets aim to defend their title, Gilgeous-Alexander looks to lead Oklahoma City past the first round for the first time since 2016, and Wembanyama seeks to build on his rookie foundation as the Spurs pursue their first playoff appearance since 2022.
What do you feel? Who deserves the 2023-24 NBA MVP award? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media using #NBAMVP.
