The 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player award race is officially underway, and it's looking to be one of the most thrilling finishes in years.
The NBA has announced its finalists for this year's big awards, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic are at the forefront of the MVP discussion.
Who are the finalists for the sixth man of the year, coach of the year, defensive player of the year, and other categories?
NBA MVP 2025 Finalists
All of the MVP contenders played an incredible season, but the most likely candidate is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard not only posted MVP-level numbers, but he also took his team to the top record in the NBA with 68 wins in the regular season. That kind of team success, according to Hoops Rumors, might just propel him to the top over reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and past MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose squads had 50 and 48 victories, respectively.
Gilgeous-Alexander is a dynamic scorer, an elite playmaker, and a two-way force on the court. With the Thunder leading the league in standings, his MVP case is difficult to dismiss.
On the other hand, Nikola Jokic is a walking triple-double and the foundation of Denver's offense. The Serbian center continues to dominate with his versatility and high basketball IQ.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a physical force with unbridled energy, muscled through another behemoth season. Despite the injuries, he's keeping Milwaukee in the mix.
NBA Awards 2025: Full List of Finalists
The battle for MVP is sure to make the headlines, but each of the major award categories is stacked with worthy contenders. Here's a closer examination of who's vying for the NBA's most prestigious awards.
Coach of the Year Finalists
- Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers): Led Cleveland to a strong playoff push behind a rejuvenated roster.
- J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons): Transformed a struggling franchise into a playoff team.
- Ime Udoka (Rockets): Ignited a culture change in Houston with his hard-nosed, defense-minded style.
Rookie of the Year Finalists
- Stephon Castle (Spurs): A standout for San Antonio, showing leadership and poise beyond his early years.
- Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks): Demonstrated incredible upside and all-around potential.
- Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies): Provided a huge lift with his scoring and confidence on a rebuilding Memphis roster.
Sixth Man of the Year Finalists
- Malik Beasley (Pistons): Scoring punch off the bench, adding much-needed spacing and offense.
- Ty Jerome (Cavaliers): Valuable contributor in late-game situations, stabilizing the second unit.
- Payton Pritchard (Celtics): Speedy guard who provides energy, shooting, and hustle nightly.
Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
- Draymond Green (Warriors): Veteran defensive staple remains the standard-bearer at that end of the court.
- Dyson Daniels (Hawks): Fast-rising star with a lockdown-level perimeter defense.
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers): Rim-protector and switch-defender who projects to be an All-NBA talent.
Most Improved Player (MIP) Finalists
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons): Jumped from being in his own bubble into becoming an official star player. He also improved on scoring and leadership.
- Dyson Daniels (Hawks): It wasn't a defense-only coming-of-age — his offense caught up as well.
- Ivica Zubac (Clippers): Turned into a double-double machine and crucial paint presence.
Clutch Player of the Year Finalists
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): Exquisite in close games, hitting gigantic shots with ice in his veins.
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves): Seized the moment with bold confidence in the stretch.
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): Composed under duress, Jokic keeps performing in game-winning moments.
When Will the NBA Award Winners Be Announced?
The league has not yet made official the date for the 2025 NBA Awards announcement. Winners, however, will be revealed during the playoffs as part of the NBA's tradition of highlighting the league's best talent.
As the hype mounts, everyone's eyes are on whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will cap off his record-breaking season with an MVP trophy —or if Jokic or Giannis will make a familiar case as the game's best once more.
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