Nikola Jokic picks up MVP award and shows exactly why he is the NBA's best player

Nikola Jokic is showing why he's the best player in the NBA in the Denver Nuggets ' ongoing series with the Minnesota Timberwolves - dominating in their win on Tuesday night.

Jokic was named the league's MVP last week - winning his third award which saw him join the likes of LeBron James, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the exclusive club, and he has followed up with incredible solo performances as the Nuggets have rallied from 2-0 down to lead 3-2.

The Serbian big man scored 40 points while registering 13 rebounds and seven assists, looking unstoppable for large parts of the game against Minnesota - who did all they could to contain him.

Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards has himself had an extremely impressive series, but his team have now lost their last three games to throw away a 2-0 lead in the series.

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And speaking after the loss, Edwards told reporters: "I just laugh. That’s all I can do. I can’t be mad. He’s the MVP. He’s the best player in the NBA. He showed it the last three games. He was special tonight. I have to give him his flowers. He was that guy."

The 29-year-old has averaged an incredible 28.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 9.5 assists through the playoffs, with the Nuggets now one game away from returning to the Western Conference Finals - and among the favorites to win the championship.

Jokic won 79 first-place votes, which are worth 10 points; 18 second-place votes, worth seven; and two third-place votes, which are worth five to claim his third MVP award. His 926 total points beat out Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic , who came in second and third.

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After winning the award, Jokic said: "You've got to start with the teammates, without them, I can do nothing. Coaches, players, [the] organization, medical staff, strength coaches, development coaches, are all one big circle that I cannot be where I am without them."

After a slow start the Nuggets have had both Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon step up in the series, playing second fiddle offensively behind Jokic - who continues to impress as a floor facilitator.

Should Denver advance in the series, they'll face the winner of the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks - who are currently tied at 2-2 with Game 5 on Wednesday night.