NBA award finalists 2025: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Rookie of the Year, more

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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

SeasonWinner
2024-25Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
2023-24Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2022-23Joel Embiid, 76ers
2021-22Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2020-21Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2019-20Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2018-19Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2017-18James Harden, Rockets
2016-17Russell Westbrook, Thunder
2015-16Stephen Curry, Warriors

Rookie of the Year

Finalists

To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2024-25Stephon Castle, Spurs
2023-24Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
2022-23Paolo Banchero, Magic
2021-22Scottie Barnes, Raptors
2020-21LaMelo Ball, Hornets
2019-20Ja Morant, Grizzlies
2018-19Luka Doncic, Mavericks
2017-18Ben Simmons, 76ers
2016-17Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
2015-16Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

Defensive Player of the Year

Finalists

To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2024-25Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
2023-24Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
2022-23Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
2021-22Marcus Smart, Celtics
2020-21Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2019-20Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2018-19Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2017-18Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2016-17Draymond Green, Warriors
2015-16Kawhi Leonard, Spurs

Sixth Man of the Year

Finalists

To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2024-25Payton Pritchard, Celtics
2023-24Naz Reid, Timberwolves
2022-23Malcolm Brogdon, Celtics
2021-22Tyler Herro, Heat
2020-21Jordan Clarkson, Jazz
2019-20Montrezl Harrell, Clippers
2018-19Lou Williams, Clippers
2017-18Lou Williams, Clippers
2016-17Eric Gordon, Clippers
2015-16Jamal Crawford, Clippers

Most Improved Player

Finalists

To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2024-25Dyson Daniels, Hawks
2023-24Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
2022-23Lauri Markkanen, Jazz
2021-22Ja Morant, Grizzlies
2020-21Julius Randle, Knicks
2019-20Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
2018-19Pascal Siakam, Raptors
2017-18Victor Oladipo, Pacers
2016-17Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2015-16CJ McCollum, Trail Blazers

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.

SeasonWinner
2024-25Jalen Brunson, Knicks
2023-24Stephen Curry, Warriors
2022-23De'Aaron Fox, Kings

Coach of the Year

Finalists

To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2024-25Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers
2023-24Mark Daigneault, Thunder
2022-23Mike Brown, Kings
2021-22Monty Williams, Suns
2020-21Tom Thibodeau, Knicks
2019-20Nick Nurse, Raptors
2018-19Mike Budenholzer, Bucks
2017-18Dwane Casey, Raptors
2016-17Mike D'Antoni, Rockets
2015-16Steve Kerr, Warriors
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