If there’s anyone Luka Doncic appears determined to surpass this season, it’s Nikola Jokic. From being ranked third behind Jokic during EuroBasket to facing new challenges just before the NBA preseason, Luka is once again under the microscope. With training camp and media day approaching, all eyes are on the Laker star, especially after his 31-pound transformation and $165 million contract extension. The stage is set for a head-to-head narrative between Doncic and the reigning Serbian MVP.

Tim Bontemps’ analysis, closely followed by fans, delivers a verdict that won’t surprise those paying attention, further intensifying the conversation as the new season approaches. On Monday, Bontemps shared the poll on the predictions for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. MVP and the best player. And guess who is leading the show? No, it’s not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he’s trailing closely.

And no, it’s not Luka Doncic either. It’s Nikola Jokic. The Joker leads the MVP poll with seven votes. Followed by SGA with 5, Luka with 4, Wemby with 2 votes, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Edwards with one vote each. After two years of Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander holding the top spots, it feels almost natural to see them lead again, separated by the thinnest of margins.

Meanwhile, a West scout calls it plain: “[Jokic is] the best player, and they’ll be better.” Luka Doncic fuels intrigue, with one East executive insisting, “He’s in shape, and will be motivated,” sparking whispers of a genuine three-man duel. Who is leading the poll for the best player of the NBA right now? To no one’s surprise, Jokic bagged 19 votes while the Lakers guard secured one vote.

Nikola Jokic claims the crown as the NBA’s single best player, leaving Shai and Luka Doncic trailing despite another tight MVP projection. The Thunder star earned no votes, and only a stray one for Doncic kept Jokic from unanimous glory in the survey’s seven-year history. “As long as he’s walking and breathing,” one East executive said, “it should be him.” Jokic now becomes the first three-time selection, surpassing Antetokounmpo’s 2021 and 2022 finishes.

Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic have faced off 18 times in the NBA. Splitting wins evenly at 9-9 as of the 2024-25 season. All matchups came in the regular season or NBA Cup, with no playoff duels. Doncic leads in scoring, assists, and steals, averaging 27.3 points, 9.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Meanwhile, Jokic dominates rebounds and blocks, posting 12.4 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per contest. Both have reached 38 points in single games, highlighting their scoring explosiveness.

On November 10, 2024, Jokic posted a triple-double with 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Doncic managed 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. On February 22, 2025, Doncic erupted for 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists against Jokic’s 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Mutual respect fuels their rivalry, with Doncic calling Jokic “probably the best basketball player in the world,” and Jokic enjoying the competitive banter, making every duel a high-stakes spectacle.

It’s often astonishing to see how the Denver Nuggets‘ big man is always on top of the list for anything that’s ‘best’ in the NBA. While Doncic finished second on the 2023-24 MVP poll, it was again Nikola who took the title home. This brings us to a question. Why is Jokic always a better player than Doncic?

What makes Nikola Jokic better in everything than Luka Doncic?

Nikola Jokic enters the 2025-26 NBA season as the clear frontrunner for MVP. He stands above Luka Doncic with a blend of career accolades, statistics, and team impact. Jokic is a three-time MVP, NBA champion, and 2023 Finals MVP, while earning seven All-NBA selections and seven All-Star nods. His career averages over ten seasons sit at 21.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. Recent seasons approach triple-double numbers, powering Denver’s perennial title contention.

Doncic shines with 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. He has five All-NBA First Team honors and five All-Star appearances, but lacks an NBA title or MVP. Jokic’s dominance as a playmaking center, Olympic silver and bronze medals, record-setting triple-doubles, and elite leadership elevate both his team and position. His durability, versatility, and consistent impact make him the standard-bearer in a league chasing him, cementing his spot atop MVP projections.

Well, Nikola Jokic remains the NBA’s ultimate standard, blending dominance, versatility, and sheer basketball wizardry. While Luka Doncic dazzles with scoring and flair, Jokic commands the floor, stacks triple-doubles, and lifts his team to perennial contention. Their duels crackle with intensity and respect, but Jokic’s legacy, leadership, and unmatched consistency keep him ahead. As the new season dawns, the Joker reigns supreme, turning every matchup into a masterclass.