The 2020-21 Denver Nuggets season was a historic landmark for the franchise, highlighted by Nikola Jokic becoming the first player in team history to be named NBA Most Valuable Player. Under head coach Michael Malone, the team finished with a strong 47-25 record to secure the third seed in the Western Conference despite a significant late-season injury to star guard Jamal Murray. The Nuggets demonstrated remarkable resilience and depth in the postseason, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round to reach the Western Conference Semifinals for the third consecutive year. A three-time NBA MVP and 2023 Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic is a dominant center for the Denver Nuggets widely regarded as the greatest passing big man in basketball history for leading the franchise to its first NBA championship.