NBA Announces Finalists for 2025-26 Season Awards
The NBA has revealed the finalists for its major individual awards, honoring the top performers from the 2025-26 regular season. The winners will be unveiled on a scheduled basis throughout the ongoing postseason.
The finalists for the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama.
Award Finalists
Kia NBA Most Valuable Player
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
- VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
- Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons)
- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Kia NBA Most Improved Player
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks)
- Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver Nuggets)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat)
- Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
NBA Coach of the Year
- J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons)
- Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
- Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics)
NBA Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year
- Desmond Bane (Orlando Magic)
- Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
- Pat Connaughton (Charlotte Hornets)
- De'Aaron Fox (San Antonio Spurs)
- Jeff Green (Houston Rockets)
- Jrue Holiday (Portland Trail Blazers)
- DeAndre Jordan (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Duncan Robinson (Detroit Pistons)
- Marcus Smart (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Garrett Temple (Toronto Raptors)
- Jaylin Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
This Week's Announcement Schedule
Winners for the following awards will be announced this week:
- Monday: Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Tuesday: Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
- Wednesday: Kia NBA Sixth Man Award
- Thursday: NBA Sportsmanship Award
- Friday: Kia NBA Most Improved Player
Additional Honors
The NBA will also announce the following honors at various points throughout the 2026 postseason:
- Kia All-NBA Teams
- Kia All-Defensive Teams
- NBA Basketball Executive of the Year
- NBA Social Justice Champion
- NBA Sportsmanship Award
- NBA Hustle Award
- J. Walker Kennedy Citizenship Award (Presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association)