Nikola Jokic becomes first Nugget to win NBA MVP | June 8, 2021 | Colorado’s Top 150 Sports Moments

By Chris Schmaedeke July 4, 2026 | updated 8 hours ago

Denver’s Nikola Jokic is greeted by his teammates after being presented the NBA MVP trophy before game 3 of the conference semifinals at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021. Jokic is the first Denver Nugget to get an MVP award and the first second-round draft pick to get the award. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

Happy birthday, Colorado — and Colorado sports.

Leading into the state’s 150th birthday Aug. 1, The Denver Gazette has partnered with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to publicize the definitive list of Colorado’s top 150 sports moments.

For Nos. 50 to 1, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati coordinated a 19-member committee to rank in order what they considered the top moments. The No. 1 moment will be revealed July 31. Plati and Broncos icon Jim Saccomano will unveil the list weekly on a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame podcast at coloradosports.org/podcast/.

Colorado's Top 150 Sports Moments — Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Top 150 Sports Moments

No. 21 — June 8, 2021

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2020-21 season, the first Nugget to win the award. In his seventh season after being selected 41st in the 2014 draft, he averaged 26.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists, just the third player to average 26/10/8 over a full season in league history, and recorded 16 triple-doubles. He collected 91 out of a possible 100 first-place votes in the media voting. He repeated as the MVP in 2021-22, just the 13th player to win the honor in back-to-back seasons.

— Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian

Chris Schmaedeke

Reporter