Nikola Jokic Retains Top Spot as NBA's Premier Player Heading into 2026/27
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic continues to stand unchallenged as the best player in basketball. Despite mounting team challenges following an early playoff exit, his individual brilliance keeps him at the summit of the league rankings.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic remains at the pinnacle of basketball, holding firm as the undisputed top player in the NBA. Recognized as the definitive player of the decade, Jokic has consistently placed no lower than second in the MVP race since claiming his first award in 2021.
His dominance was fully visible throughout the 2025/26 campaign across 65 games, where he averaged 27.7 points on 56.9 percent shooting from the field, 38 percent from beyond the arc, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists. Over the course of the season, he ranked as the league's eighth-leading scorer while simultaneously leading the NBA in both rebounds and assists.
Despite his individual greatness and past championship triumph, Jokic faces growing collective hurdles in Denver. The Nuggets suffered a surprising and decisive first-round playoff elimination at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, highlighting a fade in the team's overall confidence. Although Denver appears to be nearing the end of an era, Jokic's presence keeps them in contention, even as another disappointing season threatens to dismantle the roster.
Heading into the 2026/27 campaign, realistic targets for the Serbian star include contending for the MVP award while averaging 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. While concerns linger about whether individual brilliance can offset a team's collective decline, another championship run amid rising competition would cement Jokic's legacy even further as he remains the premier force in world basketball.