Nikola Jokic's MVP effort leads Nuggets on eve of announcement - ESPN

DENVER — If Denver weather cooperates, Nikola Jokic said he will be soaking in a pool when the 2022-23 MVP is announced Tuesday.

The reigning back-to-back MVP earned his day in the sun after dominating the Phoenix Suns and carrying the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 victory in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Ball Arena on Monday night.

Perhaps it is fitting on the eve of the MVP announcement that Jokic delivered an MVP performance with 39 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two steals to give Denver a 2-0 series lead.

With voters having cast their ballots at the end of the regular season, this MVP contest could be one of the most tightly contested races between leading candidates Jokic, the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid and the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In his typical understated fashion, Jokic reiterated that he doesn't care who wins the NBA's most coveted individual award.

«I don't really think about it,» Jokic said. «Like zero interest.»

Jokic's full focus is on the Suns. With Denver's Jamal Murray struggling through a 3-for-15 shooting night, including going 0-for-9 from behind the arc, Jokic put aside his pass-first mentality and was much more aggressive looking for his shot. He took 30 shots — the most he has taken all regular season and postseason — and displayed his touch. He hit two 3s, sank floaters and scored on an array of moves in the post.

Jokic scored 18 of his points and hit 7 of 11 shots in the third quarter, when Phoenix's Devin Booker scored 14 of his 35 points.

When Murray was asked what Jokic showed with this outburst the night before the MVP winner is announced, the shooting guard pointed both of his hands at the stat sheet in front of him with an incredulous look