The NBA playoffs have officially begun, and as always, that means the regular season’s awards will soon be handed out. Ballots were officially due on the evening of April 16, before the first Play-In game began, and over the past few seasons, the NBA has begun naming finalists. These finalists are the top-three vote getters for each award, and on Sunday, the NBA announced who is in the running for its seven highest-profile awards. They are as follows:
Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama and Bam Adebayo
Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller
Most Improved Player: Coby White, Alperen Sengun and Tyrese Maxey
Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid, Malik Monkand Bobby Portis
Clutch Player of the Year: Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault (Thunder), Chris Finch (Timberwolves) and Jamahl Mosley (Magic)
Wembanyama (Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year) and Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP and Clutch Player of the Year) are the only players to be named finalists for multiple awards. Neither are favored to win both, however, as Wembanyama is currently only the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year, while Gilgeous-Alexander rates No. 3 at most books for both of his nominations.