Most MVP awards in NBA history: Where Nikola Jokic's third win ranks among Michael Jordan, LeBron James
Most MVP awards in NBA history: Where Nikola Jokic’s third win ranks among Michael Jordan, LeBron James
Nikola Jokic has etched his name in history as the 2024 NBA MVP.
Earning his third NBA MVP award in the last four years, Jokic has placed himself in rarefied air as the ninth player to win the award three or more times.
At 29, Jokic is firmly in the prime of his NBA career and will continue to be in MVP conversations in the coming years. He has already cemented himself as the greatest second-round pick of all time and, as he continues to pile up accolades, adds to a resume comparable to the all-time greats.
Here is where Jokic’s MVP awards stack up among some of the greatest to ever play the game.
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Most MVP awards by player
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been named MVP more than any other NBA player. Abdul-Jabbar, who won the award six times, is one of nine players to be named MVP at least three times.
The NBA MVP award is named in honor of Michael Jordan, who is tied with Bill Russell for second-most MVP awards with five.
| Rank | Player | MVPs | Years won |
| 1. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6 | 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980 |
| 2. | Michael Jordan | 5 | 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998 |
| Bill Russell | 5 | 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 | |
| 4. | LeBron James | 4 | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 4 | 1960, 1966, 1967, 1968 | |
| 6. | Nikola Jokic | 3 | 2021, 2022, 2024 |
| Magic Johnson | 3 | 1987, 1989, 1990 | |
| Larry Bird | 3 | 1984, 1985, 1986 | |
| Moses Malone | 3 | 1979, 1982, 1983 |
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NBA MVP award winners by year
Jokic is the most recent back-to-back MVP award winner. His quest for a third consecutive MVP award was thwarted by 76ers center Joel Embiid, MVP of the 2022-23 season, but Jokic claimed his third in four years in 2024.
Bill Russell (1961, 1962, 1963), Wilt Chamberlain (1966, 1967, 1968) and Larry Bird (1984, 1985, 1986) are the only players to win the award three consecutive times.
| Year | Winner |
| 2024 | Nikola Jokic |
| 2023 | Joel Embiid |
| 2022 | Nikola Jokic |
| 2021 | Nikola Jokic |
| 2020 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2019 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2018 | James Harden |
| 2017 | Russell Westbrook |
| 2016 | Stephen Curry |
| 2015 | Stephen Curry |
| 2014 | Kevin Durant |
| 2013 | LeBron James |
| 2012 | LeBron James |
| 2011 | Derrick Rose |
| 2010 | LeBron James |
| 2009 | LeBron James |
| 2008 | Kobe Bryant |
| 2007 | Dirk Nowitzki |
| 2006 | Steve Nash |
| 2005 | Steve Nash |
| 2004 | Kevin Garnett |
| 2003 | Tim Duncan |
| 2002 | Tim Duncan |
| 2001 | Allen Iverson |
| 2000 | Shaquille O’Neal |
| 1999 | Karl Malone |
| 1998 | Michael Jordan |
| 1997 | Karl Malone |
| 1996 | Michael Jordan |
| 1995 | David Robinson |
| 1994 | Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1993 | Charles Barkley |
| 1992 | Michael Jordan |
| 1991 | Michael Jordan |
| 1990 | Magic Johnson |
| 1989 | Magic Johnson |
| 1988 | Michael Jordan |
| 1987 | Magic Johnson |
| 1986 | Larry Bird |
| 1985 | Larry Bird |
| 1984 | Larry Bird |
| 1983 | Moses Malone |
| 1982 | Moses Malone |
| 1981 | Julius Erving |
| 1980 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1979 | Moses Malone |
| 1978 | Bill Walton |
| 1977 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1976 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1975 | Bob McAdoo |
| 1974 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1973 | Dave Cowens |
| 1972 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1971 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1970 | Willis Reed |
| 1969 | Wes Unseld |
| 1968 | Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1967 | Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1966 | Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1965 | Bill Russell |
| 1964 | Oscar Robertson |
| 1963 | Bill Russell |
| 1962 | Bill Russell |
| 1961 | Bill Russell |
| 1960 | Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1959 | Bob Pettit |
| 1958 | Bill Russell |
| 1957 | Bob Cousy |
| 1956 | Bob Pettit |