MVP Race Narrows to Wembanyama, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic
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The NBA on Sunday night unveiled its three finalists for the 2025-26 Most Valuable Player award: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s MVP, posted 31.1 points and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 55%. Wembanyama averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds in just 29.2 minutes, and Jokic—already a three-time winner—recorded 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists, becoming the first player ever to lead the league in both assists and rebounds.
Other Award Finalists
Clutch Player of the Year: Gilgeous-Alexander is also up for this honor alongside Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. Edwards remained eligible despite not meeting the league’s 65-game minimum because coaches, not voters, select Clutch Player nominees.
Defensive Player of the Year: Wembanyama, who topped the league in blocks per game for the third straight season, is joined by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons swingman Ausar Thompson, the NBA steals leader.
Most Improved Player: Detroit center Jalen Duren (11.8 to 19.5 points per game), Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9.5 to 20.8) and Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists in his first All-Star campaign) make up the trio of candidates.
Rookie of the Year: Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe are the finalists.
Coach of the Year: Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson and Boston’s Joe Mazzulla round out the top three.
Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham, who both fell short of the 65-game threshold, appeared on all ballots after the NBA granted exemptions under its “extraordinary circumstances” clause. While neither placed in the top three for MVP, both remain eligible for All-NBA teams.
The league will begin announcing winners later this week.
Source: ESPN
