The NBA has officially revealed the finalists for its seven major individual awards for the 2024-25 regular season, and the spotlight is shining brightly on some familiar names. Leading the pack for the Most Valuable Player award are Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jokic, already a three-time MVP, is on the cusp of making history by potentially securing his fourth award in just five seasons—a feat that would place him alongside legends like LeBron James and Bill Russell. His consistency is remarkable, as this season marks his fifth straight appearance in the top two of MVP voting, something we haven’t seen since Larry Bird accomplished it from 1981 to 1986. Jokic’s incredible averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists have solidified his place in the MVP conversation once again. The only question that remains is whether he will come out on top this time, or if Gilgeous-Alexander will snag his first MVP award.
Speaking of Gilgeous-Alexander, his performance has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Leading the league in scoring with an impressive 32.7 points per game, he propelled the Thunder to a franchise-record 68 wins—marking the highest victory total in the NBA since the Golden State Warriors notched 73 in 2016. He has also topped the last two versions of ESPN’s MVP straw poll, indicating strong support for his candidacy.
Joining this elite duo in the MVP race is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, a perennial contender who has finished in the top four of MVP voting for seven consecutive years, including back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020.
The Defensive Player of the Year award has a twist this year with the injury-related absence of San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, who was expected to be a frontrunner before his season came to a premature end due to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis in February. Now, the spotlight turns to Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, and Atlanta Hawks wing Dyson Daniels as the finalists for this prestigious honor.
Mobley broke out this season, securing an All-Star selection while likely earning his first All-NBA nod. With averages of 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, Mobley’s impact on both ends of the court has been significant. Meanwhile, Green has returned to form, showcasing his defensive prowess by averaging at least one block and one steal per game for the seventh season of his career. Daniels has also made headlines, leading the league with 229 steals, underlining the defensive talent among this year’s finalists.
In the Most Improved Player category, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who made his first All-Star team this year, finds himself among the finalists alongside LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac and the aforementioned Daniels. Cunningham has enjoyed a breakout season, averaging 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. Zubac’s performance has seen him set career highs across multiple categories—including points (16.8) and rebounds (12.6)—while Daniels has taken on an expanded role since joining the Hawks.
For the Rookie of the Year award, Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells are the finalists. Risacher averaged 12.6 points, while Castle made headlines with his 14.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. Wells, a second-round pick, started for a majority of the season before suffering a season-ending injury.
The Sixth Man of the Year race is equally riveting, showcasing the talents of Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome, and Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley. Pritchard stands out as a key player for the Celtics, having averaged 14.3 points while shooting an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc. Beasley, who averaged 16.4 points, proved to be a lethal shooter, hitting over 41% from three-point range, while Jerome had a remarkable resurgence, averaging 12.5 points and shooting 51.6% overall.
Lastly, the Coach of the Year finalists provide an intriguing narrative. Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson and his predecessor, Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, are both in the running, along with Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Each coach has led their respective teams to exceed expectations this season. Cleveland set a franchise record with 64 wins, while the Pistons tripled their win total from the prior season, marking a historic turnaround. The Rockets also made a significant leap, climbing to the second seed in the competitive Western Conference.
As we await the announcement of the individual award winners, along with the selections for the All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie teams, one thing is clear: this season has been a thrill ride, showcasing the best talent the league has to offer. Stay tuned as these narratives unfold!
