As February nears, the NBA’s MVP race is heating up. Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP winner, is once again leading the conversation but faces tough competition from other standout players seeking recognition.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is delivering nightly stat-stuffing performances, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains dominant with the Milwaukee Bucks, and newly crowned champion Jayson Tatum has been invaluable for the Boston Celtics. Yet, Jokic’s biggest challenge might not come from his rivals but from voter fatigue.
Voter fatigue reflects the desire for variety among MVP voters—sportswriters and broadcasters often seek diversity in naming the league’s best players annually. With so much talent in the NBA, it’s tempting to share the spotlight. Historically, multiple players might truly deserve MVP honors in a given season, but personal biases and a sense of fairness often tip the scales.
This tendency could work against Jokic, despite his exceptional play. On Tuesday, the Serbian center had what’s considered a “quiet” game by his standards, posting a triple-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in Denver’s 118-99 win over Dallas. That brought his triple-double total to 16 for the season, with jaw-dropping averages of 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 1.8 steals, and a stellar 47.1% from three-point range.
Jokic’s consistent dominance often makes his extraordinary performances feel routine. When a 40-20-15 game barely raises eyebrows, it highlights how desensitized fans have become to his brilliance. These are not just elite numbers—they’re beyond video game levels.
If Jokic continues on his current trajectory, awarding the MVP to anyone else would underline the extent of voter fatigue and damage the credibility of the process. The focus must remain on choosing the rightful candidate based on merit, not spreading accolades for the sake of variety.
Voter fatigue might be real, but it should not overshadow Jokic’s unparalleled excellence this season. If justice prevails, he’ll earn another well-deserved MVP award.