Imagine a basketball phenom who's turning triple-doubles into just another Tuesday night—Nikola Jokić is dominating the MVP race like no one else, and it's time to dive into why he's untouchable right now.
Nikola Jokić is holding strong at the top of the Kia MVP Ladder with his reliable, jaw-dropping performances that keep fans and analysts buzzing. With 174 triple-doubles already under his belt, he's on track to surpass Oscar Robertson's mark of 181 this very season, securing second place on the all-time list. The elite players in the league have a way of making extraordinary feats feel almost ordinary, and Jokić embodies that perfectly when it comes to nailing those versatile stat lines. His knack for delivering double-digit numbers in points, rebounds, and assists has evolved from something occasional to a regular occurrence, and this season, it's become downright expected. It's genuinely surprising these days when he doesn't hit that mark—kind of like how rare it is to see the Oklahoma City Thunder drop a game in the 2025-26 campaign. For most NBA stars, landing a triple-double sparks massive headlines and marks a milestone, but for Jokić, it's met with a casual nod, as if it's simply his everyday routine.
What sets Jokić's achievements apart is how he's revolutionized the role of a center in NBA history—no big man before him had ever consistently stacked up triple-doubles like this. This uniqueness stems from his exceptional passing ability, which elevates his games beyond the typical double-doubles in scoring and rebounding that other centers chase. For beginners, think of a triple-double as a player's way of excelling in three key areas—points, rebounds, and assists—all in one game, showing all-around mastery rather than just dominating one stat. That's precisely why the Denver Nuggets' star has claimed three Kia MVP awards and come in second twice over the past five years; right now, he's enjoying the strongest statistical opening of his entire career. The NBA only started officially tracking blocks from the 1973-74 season, and history buffs often point out that legends like Wilt Chamberlain were blocking shots left and right without records to prove it, alongside his monster scoring and rebounding totals. Chamberlain even topped the league in assists one year, though back then, leaders were based on total counts rather than averages, so he never quite averaged a triple-double. For example, imagine a 7-foot giant swatting away shots like flies while dishing passes—Wilt probably had plenty of those games, but we'll never know the exact numbers.
But here's where it gets controversial: Jokić's brilliance might be flying under the radar for casual fans, yet on the Kia MVP Ladder, it's anything but overlooked—he's firmly planted at No. 1 this week. Only Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook have made triple-doubles seem this seamless in the past, and Westbrook snagged an MVP before everyone got too accustomed to his style, though he didn't repeat the honor in later triple-double-heavy seasons. If it's truly as straightforward as it looks, why aren't more players, especially those bombing threes from deep, racking them up regularly? At 30 years old, with Russell Westbrook at 205 triple-doubles and nearing retirement, Jokić is poised to claim the all-time record eventually. This season alone, he's notched 10 triple-doubles in just 17 outings, shooting at an incredible 62% efficiency. To put that in perspective for newcomers, in his third year, he managed only 10 for the whole season, and during his second MVP campaign in 2021-22, it was 19 total—so he's already over halfway to potentially eclipsing that, and we're barely into Thanksgiving week. And this is the part most people miss: his consistency isn't just stats; it's the glue holding his team together.
Shifting gears to the point guard spotlight, Stephen Curry redefined the position for his era—he transformed the three-point shot into an art form, earned the first unanimous MVP, led his team to titles, and became a household name even among non-hoops enthusiasts. But a changing of the guard might be happening, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steps up boldly, mirroring Curry's impact but in the mid-range game. SGA already has an MVP trophy, a championship ring, and looks ready to stack more soon. Their showdown on Tuesday—Oklahoma City visiting the Warriors at 11 ET on Peacock—promises fireworks, especially with SGA's smooth drives and Curry's long-range magic clashing. For stats that wow, only two Philadelphia 76ers legends have ever dropped 50 points with nine assists in a single game: the recent one is Tyrese Maxey, sitting at No. 8 on the ladder, and the other is, you guessed it, Wilt Chamberlain. As former coach and TV analyst Stan Van Gundy put it, "He might be the best player in the history of the NBA"—talk about high praise for Jokić that could stir endless debates.
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week's ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, 11.1 assists
His case: One standout quality about Jokić is his ironclad reliability on the court—unlike some peers on this list, he hasn't sat out a single game yet. Over his career, he's only dipped below 70 games once, playing 69 in 2022-23, because he thrives on staying in the flow and dislikes resting. When he's sidelined, the Nuggets historically struggle, though they've shown resilience this year. For defensive critics—and that's often just nitpicking—he's currently 18th league-wide in steals at 1.6 per game, and last season, he led in points, rebounds, assists, and steals; he's trending to repeat that feat. Boldly put, is Jokić redefining what a center can do, or is the league just catching up to his genius?
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week's ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 32.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists
His case: SGA has a knack for sealing OKC victories early, often by halftime or the end of the third, allowing him to chill in the final frame. His sharp scoring, top-notch shooting percentages, and ball security—under two turnovers a game—make a rock-solid MVP argument. Even without his All-NBA sidekick Jalen Williams, who's set to return Friday, SGA remains the offensive engine. It'll be intriguing to see if he shares the load more once Williams is back, and whether extra rest impacts his ladder spot amid fierce competition. And here's a counterpoint to ponder: Does dominating without a full roster boost his case, or does it highlight team dependencies?
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week's ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 35.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists
His case: Fresh off a dazzling 43-point masterpiece against the Clippers—efficient and nearly a triple-double—Dončić flashed every tool in his arsenal. What's fascinating is his quick comfort level with the Lakers, the city, and his starring role; he genuinely seems to vibe with L.A. Already cracking the top 10 in Lakers history for 40-point games despite just arriving, he's outpacing everyone else in those outbursts this season. For example, picture a newcomer dropping bombs like that—it's like he was born for purple and gold. Do you think his fresh start could propel him to MVP glory, or will the pressure of a big market weigh him down?
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week's ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists
His case: Before his injury, Giannis was a frontrunner, fueling the Bucks on both ends with elite scoring (63.6% from the field, 50% from three) and rebounding prowess. To stay in the MVP mix, though, availability is key—he's missed six of 19 games, and Milwaukee's slipping in the East standings. His adductor issue has him ramping up, with a return imminent, but the real test of his value shines when the team falters without him. Controversially, some argue injuries expose superstars' fragilities—does Giannis's absence prove he's indispensable, or just human?
5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Last week's ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 28.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.3 assists
His case: Cunningham must be kicking himself over that missed free throw that sank Detroit's chances against the Celtics on Wednesday, snapping their 13-game streak—but he orchestrated the 42-point, eight-rebound, five-assist effort that had them in contention. As November wraps, he's posting 31.1 points, 9.9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds in his played games, fueling a 9-1 record. That's prime top-five material on the ladder, showing his growth from early-career struggles to now leading a turnaround. What if that one shot defines his season—fair or too harsh a judgment?
The next five contenders include:
6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
9. Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets
10. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
And rounding out with five more (alphabetically): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors; Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers.
Shaun Powell has been reporting on the NBA since 1985. Reach him at spowell@nba.com, browse his archive here, and follow on X. What do you think— is Jokić the undisputed GOAT in the making, or does someone else deserve the top spot? Drop your takes in the comments and let's debate!
