As the NBA playoffs ramp up, the league has officially revealed the full list of finalists for the 2025-26 regular season awards.
Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
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The race for the MVP got a bit close in the second half of the season, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the most consistent candidate and is expected to take home his second MVP trophy.
He averaged 31.1 points and 6.6 assists per game while leading the Thunder to a league-best 64-18 record.
Defensive Player of the Year: Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons)
The race for this award has not been a close one whatsoever. Victor Wembanyama has been the league’s premier defender all season and the only question that was raised was whether he would reach the 65-game requirement.
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
This race has been anything but lopsided. Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have each put on a show for their respective teams this season. Both of them are more than deserving to win the award and giving a tie would be more than justified.
Sixth Man of the Year: Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver Nuggets), Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat)
While this race is a bit closer, Jaquez is expected to take home the 6MOY after leading the league in bench points this season while part of a high-octane Miami offense.
Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons), Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs), Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics)
Several candidates stood out this season for this award and any one of them may end up taking it home. Joe Mazzulla may be the most deserving after leading the Celtics to an impressive season after losing Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles.
Most Improved Player: Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks), Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
The race for Most Improved Player has been a narrow one. Jalen Duren has emerged as a two-way beast for the Pistons while Deni Avdija has been the leader of a surprising Trail Blazers team.
Clutch Player of the Year: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is likely to take home this award alongside the MVP after leading the league in average clutch points. His 6.5 points in the clutch is also the highest on record since the play-by-play era began in 1997-98.
James Parker contributed to this story.
