The Rise of Nikola Jokic - From Underdog to MVP

The story of Nikola Jokic's unlikely rise to stardom, from his humble beginnings in Serbia to his rise as the Denver Nuggets' MVP.

[{"selector":"#anim-3638d291-445e-4acc-a4f1-8a2d30ba1a59 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-291642d4-3747-40ed-8f8a-f1e6d82dc2f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d8a2120-6352-4432-88cc-cd5c301e6687","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

In Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns, Jokic's 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists were instrumental in the Nuggets' victory, giving them a 3-2 lead in the series.

[{"selector":"#anim-71bf4c1f-bad1-4b79-9c8d-e43394b47567 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44c24adb-cd79-48a1-ab80-6d7d9db2e8f8","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee5673b8-1ae9-416a-80ee-b61b65cc776c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Jokic's leadership has been vital to the Nuggets' playoff run. From his clutch performances on the court to his mentorship of younger players, Jokic has been the driving force behind the team's success.

[{"selector":"#anim-d40836d1-60da-4c77-94df-5c22f37a4d42 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e90a93f1-6d79-4bfe-a9b2-1b49458a584f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c80744aa-9e27-4daf-a485-fc22901b54a0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(104.23281%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Jokic's MVP performance in the playoffs has cemented his status as one of the NBA's best players. With his dominant play on both ends of the court, Jokic has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b65db5d-14a2-4610-a53a-b73dd49450f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-733d5754-aed8-4582-a165-1ec96187686c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -205.02237%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Jokic's unique playing style and unassuming personality have made him a fan favorite and a role model for young players. His success has also helped raise the profile of international players in the NBA.

[{"selector":"#anim-d5343b56-917c-460d-85f2-943432c34d31 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5298a9b3-66d7-467a-aadd-f77c0fd66afa","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c94a453-ad71-4f5c-b682-7795ad044397","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

As the Denver Nuggets look to advance to the Western Conference Finals, Jokic's future in the NBA looks bright. With his leadership and skill, he has the potential to lead the Nuggets to a championship and cement his place in NBA history.

[{"selector":"#anim-c9aa12a1-8d2c-49ae-beb6-d916a31291bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a764f562-d664-412d-86dc-9d74ff64d4a2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e8df4275-33d1-4e0a-b88f-d58392e34eb5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(98.48485%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Visit LocalEventsToday to Get Regular Sports Update

[{"selector":"#anim-30a6a569-3adc-49fe-9971-9a52be596c52 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a09ccc4a-c68e-4d27-981b-9137ce1e1a88","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a4ddb04-2ffd-4107-9c2a-0fcbd17916d4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -400.17223%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]