The NBA regular season has concluded, and while much attention is now focused on the upcoming playoffs, it`s still appropriate to reflect on the 82 games just played. In the coming weeks, the NBA will announce the winners of this season`s major awards. On Sunday, the league revealed the three finalists for each of the seven most prestigious individual honors. Here are the finalists:
2025 NBA Awards Finalists
- Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Defensive Player of the Year: Dyson Daniels, Draymond Green, Evan Mobley
- Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher, Jaylen Wells
- Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Beasley, Ty Jerome, Payton Pritchard
- Most Improved Player: Cade Cunningham, Ivica Zubac, Dyson Daniels
- Coach of the Year: Kenny Atkinson, J.B. Bickerstaff, Ime Udoka
- Clutch Player of the Year: Nikola Jokić, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards
Among this year`s finalists, only two are in contention for multiple awards. Nikola Jokić is a finalist for both MVP and Clutch Player of the Year, while Dyson Daniels is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player. However, Daniels is the only one of the two considered a favorite for an award, and he is only favored to win one of the two.
Voting concluded during the week, and currently, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is favored for MVP, Draymond Green for Defensive Player of the Year, Dyson Daniels for Most Improved Player, Payton Pritchard for Sixth Man of the Year, Stephon Castle for Rookie of the Year, Jalen Brunson for Clutch Player of the Year, and Kenny Atkinson for Coach of the Year. Given the closeness of many of these races, upsets are certainly possible.
The NBA does not adhere to a strict schedule for announcing awards, but there are general trends. Some awards are typically announced during the first round of the playoffs, with the final awards being revealed later. The MVP award is often presented during the second round, with players sometimes accepting it on their home court before a playoff game. While the exact timing is uncertain, the winners will undoubtedly be announced soon. With the finalists now set, the award season is nearing its conclusion.
Jasper Hawthorne