Fri May 23 03:40:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Malone Clarifies MVP Stance, Affirms Jokic Would Have Been His Pick**

**DENVER, CO -** Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has clarified his earlier praise of Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stating unequivocally that Nikola Jokic would have been his choice for this year’s NBA MVP.

Malone, now an analyst for ESPN, made the statement during a pregame segment before Game 2 of the Thunder-Timberwolves series, responding to backlash he received for comments made earlier in the week. After Gilgeous-Alexander’s standout performance in Game 1, Malone had lauded him, leading some to interpret the remark as a slight toward Jokic and the Nuggets, particularly after Malone’s recent firing.

“I would have voted for him [Jokic] again this year, if I had a vote,” Malone told ESPN viewers. “Want to make sure the people in Denver know that because right now, I’m getting a lot of heat back home.”

The clarification came shortly after Gilgeous-Alexander received his MVP trophy, an award Nikola Jokic finished second in voting for. Jokic, a three-time MVP, led the Nuggets to the second round of the playoffs, where they were ultimately defeated by Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.

Malone’s remarks aim to quell speculation of any lingering resentment towards Jokic and the Nuggets organization following his sudden dismissal after a decade-long tenure. While Malone is currently working for ESPN during the Western Conference Finals, he was not a member of the 100-person media panel that determined the MVP award.

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