Nikola Jokic, a Denver Nuggets center, was named NBA MVP on Wednesday, becoming the ninth player in league history and the first international player to win the title at least three times.

The Serbian star defeated Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic to earn the honor, which he also won in 2021 and 2022. Last season, Jokic finished second to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, who was unable to defend his title after undergoing knee surgery in February and failing to play 65 games, the NBA’s new award eligibility requirement.

Jokic received 79 of the 99 first-place votes, outperforming finalists Gilgeous-Alexander (15) and Doncic (4). Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo won one first-place vote, while New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

The five-man ballot included votes for Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant.

“You’ve got to start with your teammates,” Jokic stated in an interview with TNT. “Without them, I can’t do anything. Coaches, players, organizations, medical personnel, strength coaches, and development coaches are all part of the same large circle. “I couldn’t be who I am without them.”

TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal then told Jokic that he thought Gilgeous-Alexander deserved to win this year’s prize.

“Thank you, Shaq,” Jokic responded. “We do not pass judgment here. That is OK. It is your view. I am joking. For truth, many athletes deserve it.”

Jokic, 29, averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in 79 games, helping the Nuggets to 57 wins and the Western Conference’s second seed. The only player in league history to match such averages was Hall of Fame guard Oscar Robertson in 1962.

Jokic led the league in all major advanced statistical indicators, including player efficiency rating, win shares, and value over replacement player.

The only other players who have won the award at least three times are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Bill Russell (five), Michael Jordan (five), Wilt Chamberlain (four), LeBron James (four), Moses Malone (three), Larry Bird (three), and Magic Johnson (three).

Jokic, who specializes as a scorer and distributor, won his first championship and was voted NBA Finals MVP for 2023. This year’s playoffs have proven more difficult for the Nuggets, who are trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves 2-0 in the second round. The third game is scheduled on Friday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

“We have a tough test,” Jokic told TNT. “We’re heading to Minnesota to try to bring the series back to Denver [for Game 5]. They’re playing quite well. They did not lose any games in the first round. They are playing at a high level. We did not play our brand of basketball.”

Gilgeous-Alexander, 25, led the Thunder to 57 victories and the West’s top seed, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. After losing in the West’s play-in tournament last season, the surging Thunder face Doncic’s Mavericks in the second round.

Doncic, 25, averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds for the Mavericks, who won 50 games and earned the West’s fifth seed after winning the lottery in 2023. Despite winning his first scoring title and posting an unrivaled stat line, Doncic played only 70 games, the fewest of the three finalists.