Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic didn’t have to wait long to win his first award of the season.
Jokic was named Western Conference Player of the Month on Monday for his performances in late October and November.
In Denver’s first 19 games of the season, Jokic led the Nuggets to a 13-6 record by averaging 29 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.2 assists. He made 57.1% of his shots to start the season.
Those numbers almost mirrored his playoff run from last season, which finished with the franchise’s first championship and a Finals Most Valuable Player award for the most decorated player in Nuggets history.
Last season, Jokic averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 in 20 postseason games.
It’s the seventh time the 28-year-old has earned the award. He had seven triple-doubles in October and November, while all the other players in the league combined for eight. Two of those triple-doubles came with more than 30 points and zero rebounds.
That was enough to separate Jokic from the other nominees: Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Suns forward Kevin Durant, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Rockets center Alperen Sengun.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum won the Eastern Conference award with 27.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Meanwhile, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was nominated for Western Conference Coach of the Month, but that honor went to Minnesota’s Chris Finch.
