Jokic’s MVP Hopes in Jeopardy? “We’ll Make the Right Decision”
The 65-game rule puts Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in front of a delicate choice between health and individual accolades
The end of the Denver Nuggets’ regular season is colliding with one of the NBA’s most debated recent policies: the 65-game rule for individual awards. At the center of it all is Nikola Jokic, facing a complicated decision ahead of Denver’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.
Jokic vs. Spurs: crucial game for MVP and All-NBA
After sitting out Denver’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder for injury management, Jokic now faces a crossroads: play in the final game of the season or forfeit eligibility for MVP and All-NBA consideration.
To meet the NBA requirement, the Serbian center must appear and play at least 20 minutes, bringing him to the minimum threshold of 65 games played.
David Adelman: “We need to make the right decision”
Speaking after the game, head coach David Adelman made it clear no decision has been finalized yet:
We’ll talk about it tomorrow. He got a lot of treatment today. Obviously playoff success is the priority, but this rule exists and we need to make the right decision
David Adelman
Adelman also emphasized the need for a clear plan:
We need a real plan: either he plays those minutes or we move on
David Adelman
A historic season still at risk of missing awards
The situation becomes even more paradoxical when looking at the numbers: Jokic is putting together yet another historic campaign. Through 64 games, he has averaged:
- 27.8 points
- 12.9 rebounds
- 10.9 assists
Those numbers would give him a second straight season averaging a triple-double – an extremely rare feat in NBA history.
And yet, without that appearance against San Antonio, it may not be enough for end-of-season honors.
Not an isolated case: other stars affected
Jokic is not the only star impacted by the rule. Several players are paying the price for the new regulation:
- Cade Cunningham
- Anthony Edwards
- Stephen Curry
Luka Doncic has also entered the discussion, submitting an official request to have certain absences tied to the birth of his daughter – as well as a recent muscle injury – considered for exemption.
Adelman criticizes the rule: “This isn’t the spirit of it”
Denver’s coach questioned the rigidity of the current system and hinted at possible offseason changes:
I hope the NBA revisits this rule in the summer. There are special cases
David Adelman
He added:
If players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic miss All-NBA because they played 64 games, that’s a problem. These are players who want to be on the floor and never choose to sit – this isn’t the spirit of the rule
David Adelman
The discussion between Denver’s staff and Jokic will be decisive. On one side is the playoff push, the Nuggets’ true priority; on the other, the chance to cement a historic individual season.
The final decision will say a lot – not only about Denver’s priorities, but also about how willing the NBA may be to reconsider a rule facing growing scrutiny.