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NBA award finalists 2025: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Rookie of the Year, more
NBA award finalists 2025: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Rookie of the Year, more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Eyes are turned to the NBA playoff games, but with these games also comes Awards season.
Sunday marks the evening where finalists are announced for each of the major award categories, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and everything in between.
With the votes all calculated from the team of sportswriters who decide this end-of-season honor, announcements are set to begin.
Here are the finalists as they are announced, as well as the last ten years of winners in each category.
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Most Valuable Player
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder |
| 2023-24 | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets |
| 2022-23 | Joel Embiid, 76ers |
| 2021-22 | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets |
| 2020-21 | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
| 2018-19 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
| 2017-18 | James Harden, Rockets |
| 2016-17 | Russell Westbrook, Thunder |
| 2015-16 | Stephen Curry, Warriors |
Rookie of the Year
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Stephon Castle, Spurs |
| 2023-24 | Victor Wembanyama, Spurs |
| 2022-23 | Paolo Banchero, Magic |
| 2021-22 | Scottie Barnes, Raptors |
| 2020-21 | LaMelo Ball, Hornets |
| 2019-20 | Ja Morant, Grizzlies |
| 2018-19 | Luka Doncic, Mavericks |
| 2017-18 | Ben Simmons, 76ers |
| 2016-17 | , Bucks |
Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Evan Mobley, Cavaliers |
| 2023-24 | Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves |
| 2022-23 | Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies |
| 2021-22 | Marcus Smart, Celtics |
| 2020-21 | Rudy Gobert, Jazz |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
| 2018-19 | Rudy Gobert, Jazz |
| 2017-18 | Rudy Gobert, Jazz |
| 2016-17 | Draymond Green, Warriors |
| 2015-16 | Kawhi Leonard, Spurs |
Sixth Man of the Year
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Payton Pritchard, Celtics |
| 2023-24 | Naz Reid, Timberwolves |
| 2022-23 | Malcolm Brogdon, Celtics |
| 2021-22 | Tyler Herro, Heat |
| 2020-21 | Jordan Clarkson, Jazz |
| 2019-20 | Montrezl Harrell, Clippers |
| 2018-19 | Lou Williams, Clippers |
| 2017-18 | Lou Williams, Clippers |
| 2016-17 | Eric Gordon, Clippers |
| 2015-16 |
Most Improved Player
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Dyson Daniels, Hawks |
| 2023-24 | Tyrese Maxey, 76ers |
| 2022-23 | Lauri Markkanen, Jazz |
| 2021-22 | Ja Morant, Grizzlies |
| 2020-21 | Julius Randle, Knicks |
| 2019-20 | Brandon Ingram, Pelicans |
| 2018-19 | Pascal Siakam, Raptors |
| 2017-18 | Victor Oladipo, Pacers |
Clutch Player of the Year
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
This award was introduced during the 2022-23 NBA season.
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Jalen Brunson, Knicks |
| 2023-24 | Stephen Curry, Warriors |
| 2022-23 | De'Aaron Fox, Kings |
Coach of the Year
Finalists
To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 2024-25 | Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers |
| 2023-24 | Mark Daigneault, Thunder |
| 2022-23 | Mike Brown, Kings |
| 2021-22 | Monty Williams, Suns |
| 2020-21 | Tom Thibodeau, Knicks |
| 2019-20 | Nick Nurse, Raptors |
| 2018-19 | Mike Budenholzer, Bucks |
| 2017-18 | Dwane Casey, Raptors |
| 2016-17 | Mike D'Antoni, Rockets |
| 2015-16 | Steve Kerr, Warriors |