As the NBA playoffs tip off, anticipation mounts for the impending award ceremonies, a tradition that accompanies the end of the regular season. Ballots were submitted before the commencement of the first Play-In game on April 16, and as has become customary, the league has unveiled the finalists for its most coveted honors. These top three contenders for each award were revealed on Sunday.
Here’s the revised list of award finalists:
Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama, Bam Adebayo
Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller
Most Improved Player: Coby White, Alperen Sengun, Tyrese Maxey
Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid, Malik Monk, Bobby Portis
Clutch Player of the Year: Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault (Thunder), Chris Finch (Timberwolves), Jamahl Mosley (Magic)Wembanyama, nominated for both Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, and Gilgeous-Alexander, contending for MVP and Clutch Player of the Year, stand out as the sole players named finalists for multiple awards. However, neither is favored to secure victory in both categories.
Wembanyama leads the odds for Rookie of the Year, while Gilgeous-Alexander ranks third for both MVP and Clutch Player of the Year. With two MVP titles under his belt, Jokic is poised to claim his third this season, while Gobert eyes a fourth Defensive Player of the Year accolade, establishing a potential dynasty. The remaining winners would mark their maiden triumphs, with early indicators favoring Wembanyama, Maxey, Reid, DeRozan, and Daigneault. Yet, not all voters have disclosed their selections.
While the NBA does not provide an official schedule for the award presentations, recent years have seen them distributed during the first and second playoff rounds.
Last season, the first award was announced on the opening Monday of the initial round, with Jaren Jackson Jr. crowned Defensive Player of the Year. MVP honors were bestowed upon Joel Embiid prior to Game 2 of his second-round series versus the Boston Celtics.