The NBA revealed the three finalists for each of its seven end-of-season awards on Sunday.
Victor Wembanyama, three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the finalists in one of the most competitive MVP races in NBA history.
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Gilgeous-Alexander is seeking to become the 14th player to earn back-to-back MVPs, joining Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and LeBron James among active players.
Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander are also both finalists for two awards.
Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham were both granted exceptions by the NBA to the league’s 65-game minimum rule to qualify for postseason awards. Both were considered MVP candidates at different points of the season, but neither made the cut as a finalist for any of the league’s end-of-year awards.
Here are the finalists for each of the NBA’s seven individual awards:
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NBA awards finalistsMVP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Coach of the Year
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Rookie of the Year
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Most Improved Player
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
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Sixth Man of the Year
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver Nuggets
Clutch Player of the Year
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
The winners for individual honors will be announced throughout the next month during the NBA playoffs, with three coming this week.
Monday: Defensive Player of the Year
Tuesday: Clutch Player of the Year
Wednesday: Sixth Man of the Year
The NBA has not yet announced when the rest of the awards will be announced.
Check out how Yahoo Sports NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor filled out his 2025-26 awards ballot.