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Nikola Jokic is the lowest draft pick to win Finals MVP in NBA history

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James Foglio
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James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

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Sports Editor

Updated27 Sep 2023

Nuggets Nikola Jokic is the lowest draft pick to win Finals MVP in NBA history

Nikola Jokic was selected 41st overall by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft, and in Monday night’s 94-89 series-clinching win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the five-time All-Star became the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to win Finals MVP.

Jokic passed Dennis Johnson, who was drafted 29th overall in 1979. Denver’s center becomes only the third second-round pick to win Finals MVP, joining Willis Reed and Johnson. In Game 5, Jokic recorded his 17th double-double of the 2023 NBA Playoffs and 50th double of his playoff career.

The two-time MVP amassed 28 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and one block in 43 minutes of action. Plus, Jokic shot 12-of-16 (75%) from the floor and 3-of-5 (60%) at the foul line.

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Nuggets are the early favorites to win next season’s championship in 2024. Sportsbooks are showing great odds for the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks as well.


“It’s good. The job is done, and we can go home now,” Nikola Jokic said after winning his first NBA championship. “We are not in it for ourselves, we are in it for the guy next to us.

“And that’s why this [means] even more. … I think it’s a great journey. Like you said, 41st pick, but that doesn’t matter. When you’re here, you’re a [NBA] player.”

Nikola Jokic is the first player in NBA history to lead the league in points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (190) in a single postseason

In 20 appearances of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Jokic averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 block, and 39.4 minutes per game. The 6-foot-11 center also shot 54.8% from the floor and 46.1% beyond the arc.

Additionally, Jokic is the first player in NBA history to lead the league in points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (190) in a single postseason. He’s the first player since LeBron James in 2020 to average 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in four series in a single postseason.


The Nuggets center joins Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players born overseas to win Finals MVP.

Furthermore, Nikola Jokic is the sixth player to record 25 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 75% from the field in an NBA Finals game (Shaquille O’Neal, 2004; Larry Bird, 1984; Cedric Maxwell, 1981; Wilt Chamberlain, 1972; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1971).

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