April 17, 2026 — With the NBA confirming that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham successfully appealed the 65-game eligibility rule, the league distributed official ballots for the 2025-26 honors. ESPN senior writer Tim Bontemps, one of the 100 voters, released his complete selections for every major award and the three postseason teams.
MVP
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Victor Wembanyama
4. Luka Doncic
5. Cade Cunningham
Bontemps placed Gilgeous-Alexander first, citing the guard’s role in Oklahoma City’s 64-win season. Jokic edged Wembanyama for second because the Denver center logged 2,265 minutes to the San Antonio rookie’s 1,866. Doncic led the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game, while Cunningham’s breakout guided Detroit to its best record in decades.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Chet Holmgren
3. Rudy Gobert
Wembanyama topped the ballot after leading the NBA in blocks and combined steals plus blocks. Holmgren anchored the Thunder’s league-leading defense, and Gobert remained indispensable in Minnesota’s interior scheme.
Coach of the Year
1. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
2. J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
3. Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Mazzulla earned the top spot for guiding Boston through major roster changes and long-term injuries to a 60-plus-win campaign.
Rookie of the Year
1. Cooper Flagg
2. Kon Knueppel
3. VJ Edgecombe
Flagg became the first rookie since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals, edging former Duke roommate Knueppel.
Most Improved Player
1. Jalen Duren
2. Deni Avdija
3. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Duren’s unexpected leap to All-Star status gave him the narrow advantage over Avdija.
Sixth Man of the Year
1. Jaime Jaquez Jr.
2. Ajay Mitchell
3. Jamal Shead
Jaquez led all reserves in total points while thriving in Miami’s uptempo offense.
Clutch Player of the Year
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Cade Cunningham
3. Anthony Edwards
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 6.5 clutch points, the highest mark recorded since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98.
All-NBA Teams
First Team: Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, Wembanyama, Doncic, Cunningham
Second Team: Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Johnson
Third Team: Chet Holmgren, Jamal Murray, Jalen Duren, Tyrese Maxey, Kevin Durant
All-Defensive Teams
First Team: Wembanyama, Holmgren, Gobert, Derrick White, OG Anunoby
Second Team: Bam Adebayo, Scottie Barnes, Neemias Queta, Ausar Thompson, Toumani Camara
All-Rookie Teams
First Team: Flagg, Knueppel, Edgecombe, Cedric Coward, Dylan Harper
Second Team: Ace Bailey, Derik Queen, Collin Murray-Boyles, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Maxime Raynaud
Ballots had to be submitted by 3 p.m. ET on Friday. Winners will be announced by the league after the postseason begins.
Source: ESPN.com
