Nikola Jokić, a towering figure in the NBA, has continued to impress with his versatile gameplay a quarter of the way into this 2023 season. He’s maintained his high standards, averaging 27.2 points, 9.4 assists, and 12.6 rebounds per game over 24 games. His shooting percentage are slightly down this year with field goals at 53.8% and three-point shooting at 31.2%, which is among his lowest.
Jokić’s MVP seasons, 2020–21 and 2021–22, were marked by phenomenal performance. In 2020–21, he averaged 26.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 10.8 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 56.6% and a three-point percentage of 38.8%. The following year, he slightly improved his statistics, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 assists, and 13.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was an impressive 58.3%, although his three-point shooting dipped to 33.7%.
Comparing these seasons, Jokić’s 2023 performance shows a remarkable consistency in scoring and rebounding, with a notable increase in assists. His field goal and three-point percentages in 2023 are slightly lower than in his MVP years, yet they remain impressive.
Jokić’s evolution from his rookie year in 2015 to 2023 is striking. He has transformed from a player averaging 10 points, 2.4 assists, and 7 rebounds per game to a dominant force in the NBA. His journey reflects continuous improvement and adaptation, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top players.
The graphic below shows the number of cumulative threes Jokic has made in a season over his career. He’s currently on pace to have his second most threes, but that pace is still quite a bit lower than his 2021–22 totals.
Overall, while Jokić’s scoring in 2023 remains slightly below the Nikola Jokic MVP years, his enhanced playmaking skills and sustained rebounding prowess underline his value. He remains a key player for the Denver Nuggets, impacting the game in multiple facets and proving to be a consistent force in the NBA.