2025 NBA Award Finalists: MVP, Defensive Player, Sixth Man, and More

The NBA announced finalists for its 2024-25 season awards on April 20, 2025, celebrating top players and coaches. Below, we highlight the finalists for Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and other awards, including when winners might be announced, at a high school reading level.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Finalists

The MVP award honors the season’s best player, voted by media.

- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets): 26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 9.0 APG. Nearly averaged a triple-double, led Nuggets to a top seed.

- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder): 30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG. Guided Thunder to 68 wins, top in West.

- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): 30.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 6.5 APG. Dominant two-way force for Bucks’ playoff push.

Defensive Player of the Year Finalists

This award recognizes the league’s top defender.

- Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks): 3.0 SPG, 443 deflections. League’s top thief, disrupts despite Hawks’ average defense.

- Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors): 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG. 98th percentile defensively, anchors Warriors.

- Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers): 1.7 BPG, versatile. Guards all positions, key to Cavs’ top-five defense.

Sixth Man of the Year Finalists

The Sixth Man award goes to the best bench player, but are guys that could start on teams and impact winning at a high level.

- Payton Pritchard (Boston Celtics): 14.3 PPG, 40.7% 3PT. Top spark for champs with clutch shooting.

- Malik Beasley (Detroit Pistons): 15.1 PPG, 41.6% 3PT. Made 300+ threes, elite shooter off bench.

- Ty Jerome (Cleveland Cavaliers): 10.2 PPG, 3.4 APG. Steady scoring, playmaking for Cavs.

Rookie of the Year Finalists

This award celebrates the top first-year player.

- Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs): 14.7 PPG, 4.2 APG. Led rookies in scoring, Spurs’ bright spot.

- Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks): 11.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG. Versatile wing, Hawks’ draft steal.

- Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies): 10.5 PPG, 38.5% 3PT. Gritty shooter for Memphis.

Most Improved Player Finalists

This award honors the player with the biggest leap.

- Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons): 22.7 PPG, 7.5 APG. All-NBA leap, fueled Pistons’ rise.

- Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks): 10.1 PPG, 3.0 SPG. Went from role player to defensive star.

- Ivica Zubac (Los Angeles Clippers): 15.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG. Career highs, anchor for Clippers.

Clutch Player of the Year Finalists

This award goes to the best in high-pressure moments.

- Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks): 28.7 PPG, led clutch scoring. Knicks’ go-to closer.

- Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons): 22.7 PPG, clutch performer. Delivered in tight games.

- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets): 26.4 PPG, clutch efficiency. Nuggets’ go-to guy

Coach of the Year Finalists

This award recognizes the season’s top coach.

- Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland Cavaliers): 64 wins. Transformed Cavs into contenders.

- J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons): 52 wins. Led Pistons’ turnaround.

- Ime Udoka (Houston Rockets): 50 wins. Rockets’ playoff return.

Announcement Timeline

Specific dates for 2025 award announcements haven’t been confirmed, but winners are typically revealed during playoffs (started April 19). Last year, announcements ran April 23–May 8, 2024, on TNT. With voting closed April 19, 2025, expect reveals from April 23–30, possibly starting with Sixth Man or Defensive Player. MVP and Rookie may hit early May. Check TNT or NBA social media for updates.

Why It Matters

These awards spotlight the season’s stars, from Jokić’s dominance to Daniels’ defense. Announced during playoffs, they add buzz to the postseason. Fans are eager to see who takes home the hardware.