Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic?
Who will win? Will Jokic become the third player to win four MVPs in five seasons? Or will Alexander win his first MVP? Regardless, the winner will mark seven consecutive seasons with the MVP awarded to a player born outside of the U.S.
The winner will be announced later during the playoffs. But Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo were named finalists for the award.
The NBA also announced its finalists for other regular-season awards, such as Clutch Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and Coach of the Year.
2024-25 NBA awards finalists
NBA MVP finalists
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Posted carer highs in points (32.7 per game) and assists (6.4) and led the Thunder to a franchise-record 68 victories.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo: He averaged 30.4 points and shot 60.1% from the field – both numbers the second-highest of his career. He matched a career-high in assists at 6.5 per game, had a career-high 11 triple-doubles and averaged 11.9 rebounds.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic: First player in NBA history to finish in the top three in points, rebounds and assists and third player to average a triple-double in a season.
Clutch Player of the Year finalists
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson: Brunson averaged a league-best 5.6 points in clutch time (final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points) and shot 51.4% from the field.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards: Averaged 3.7 points in the clutch.
Jokic: Averaged 4.2 points in clutch minutes, shooting 56.2% from the field and 42.9% on 3s.
Sixth Man of the Year finalists
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard: He became a reliable, consistent weapon off the bench, setting the record for most made 3-point shots as a reserve, with 255.
Most Improved Player finalists
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham: Cunningham elevated his game, taking the step toward All-NBA guard with career highs in points (26.1), assists (9.1) and shooting percentage (.469).
Los Angeles Clippers Ivica Zubac: Now in his seventh season with the Clippers, Zubac has taken on a much larger role in L.A.’s offense after he averaged a career-high 16.8 points per game, an increase of 5.1 over last season. His 12.6 rebounds per game also were fourth-best in the NBA.
Coach of the Year finalists
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson: Led Cavaliers to the No. 1 seed in the East with a 64-18 record in his first season in Cleveland.
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff: Guided the Pistons to an impressive 30-game turnaround – 14-68 last season to 44-38 this season.
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka: In his second season with Houston, Udoka pushed the Rockets to a 50-32 mark and No. 2 seed in the West.
Defensive Player of the Year finalists
Daniels: Nicknamed the Great Barrier Thief, Daniels — who is Australian — swiped 226 steals, tied for 20th all-time and the most since Gary Payton recorded 231 in 1995-96.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green: Typically tasked with defending bigger and taller players, Green makes up for his lack of size with a fierce motor that does not quit. He’s the anchor of a Warriors team that improved after acquiring Jimmy Butler in February.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley: A first-time All-Star, Mobley’s length and athleticism make him one of the more versatile stoppers in the league. He tied for third among qualifying players in blocks per game (1.6).
Rookie of the Year finalists
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle: After shining at the NBA All-Star showcase as part of the Rising Stars team, Castle became a fixture on the Spurs, averaging 14.7 points and 4.1 assists per game in 81 appearances.
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher: He struggled in the Play-In Tournament, going just 3-of-21 from the field in two games, but Risacher flashed plenty of promise when he was knocking down perimeter shots and slashing to the rim.