The Denver Nuggets entered the NBA All-Star break as the hottest team in the league, and their superstar center Nikola Jokic has been the main reason why.
Denver entered All-Star weekend on an eight-game winning streak, which is the longest active streak in the NBA. Their recent hot streak has also seen them climb up to third in the Western Conference standings with a 36-19 record, and they sit just half of a game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the second seed.
Of course, the Nuggets had a disappointing start to the season, but that has changed over the past month. Jokic has been a major part of why Denver has been able to turn their season around as he is once again putting together an incredible season.
The 30-year-old center is having arguably the best season of his career, which is amazing since he is already a three-time MVP winner. He also finds himself in the MVP race once again, but he will have to continue to stellar season to beat out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the award.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts back to the bench after scoring on his own rebounded ball.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
This season, Jokic is averaging 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 57.7% from the field and 45.0% from three-point range. He is averaging career-highs in points, assists and steals per contest while also shooting a career-high from three-point range.
Jokic also has a chance to join some elite company this season if he is able to keep his averages where they are. He is currently averaging a triple-double, and if he can do so through the rest of the season, he would join Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to accomplish the impressive feat.
Jokic is having another incredible career, and it is crazy to think that he may not even win the MVP award this season despite averaging an absurd stat line. Of course, he and the Nuggets are also looking for their second title in three seasons, and if he continues to play like he has, they may have a good shot to do so.