Helena Frye
The NBA Most Valuable Player Award is an annual award given to the best-performing player of the regular season. As of the 2023-24 season, the current holder of the award is Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. Other winners of the 2023-24 NBA awards include Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers. The NBA has also announced the finalists for the 2024-25 season awards, including the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, the Kia NBA Most Improved Player, and the Defensive Player of the Year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2024-25 |
| Awards | Kia MVP, Sixth Man of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Clutch Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year |
| Finalists for Kia MVP | Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| Finalists for Sixth Man of the Year | Payton Pritchard, Ty Jerome, Malik Beasley |
| Finalists for Defensive Player of the Year | Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels |
| Finalists for Most Improved Player | Cade Cunningham, Ivica Zubac, Daniels |
| Finalists for Rookie of the Year | Zaccharie Risacher, Stephon Castle, Jaylen Wells |
| Finalists for Coach of the Year | Kenny Atkinson, J.B. Bickerstaff, Ime Udoka |
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What You'll Learn
Finalists for the 2024-25 NBA awards
The NBA has unveiled the three finalists for each of its seven major individual awards for the 2024-25 regular season. The awards honor the top performers from the 2024-25 NBA regular season.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are among the finalists for the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Joining them is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has finished in the top four in MVP voting for seven consecutive seasons and won the award in 2019 and 2020. Jokic, a three-time MVP, is looking to become the third player, along with LeBron James and Bill Russell, to win four MVPs in five years.
The finalists for the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award are Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells. Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac, and Daniels, who joined the Hawks this season, are the finalists for the Kia NBA Most Improved Player award.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome, Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, and Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard are the finalists for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Pritchard averaged 14.3 points and shot 40.7% from 3-pointers this season. Beasley averaged 16.4 points and was the only player in the top 20 in 3-point attempts per game to shoot over 40%. Jerome had a stellar season, averaging 12.5 points while shooting 51.6% overall and 43.9% from 3-point range.
The Coach of the Year finalists are Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka. All three teams exceeded preseason expectations.
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NBA's Most Valuable Player
The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) is an annual award given to the best-performing player of the regular season. The winner of the 2022-23 NBA MVP award was Joel Embiid, his first time winning the award. Embiid is a Philadelphia 76ers center who was born in Cameroon. He beat Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the award.
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was the NBA MVP for the 2023-24 season. Jokic is a three-time MVP who is looking to become the third player, along with LeBron James and Bill Russell, to win four MVPs in five years.
The finalists for the 2024-25 NBA MVP award are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic. Antetokounmpo is a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks and has finished in the top four in MVP voting for seven consecutive seasons, including winning the award in 2019 and 2020. Gilgeous-Alexander is a guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder and has helped the OKC's team succeed. Jokic is a center for the Denver Nuggets and is looking to become the third player to win four MVPs in five years.
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Defensive Player of the Year
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award is given annually to honour the top defensive player in the league. The award is highly coveted and seen as one of the most prestigious individual accolades in the NBA.
For the 2024-25 season, the finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award were Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, and Atlanta Hawks wing Dyson Daniels. Mobley had a breakout season, becoming an All-Star for the first time and likely earning his first All-NBA selection while averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Green, a veteran leader, helped the Warriors' resurgence after the team acquired Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. Daniels, acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans, took on a larger role with the Hawks and impressed with his all-around game.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama was also considered a strong contender for the award before being ruled out due to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis in February. Wembanyama's absence left the competition open, with no clear favourite among the remaining finalists.
The Defensive Player of the Year award is not just about statistics but also the player's overall impact on the defensive end of the court. The winner will have demonstrated exceptional defensive skills, including shot-blocking, rebounding, and the ability to guard multiple positions. This award recognizes the player's defensive prowess and their ability to lead their team's defensive strategies.
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Sixth Man of the Year award
The Sixth Man of the Year award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given to the league's best-performing player for their team, coming off the bench as a substitute. The recipient is voted for by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters across the United States and Canada. The award has been given out since the 1982–83 NBA season, and the trophy is named after eight-time NBA champion, John Havlicek.
To be eligible for the award, a player must come off the bench in more games than they start. The ideal candidate should be a top-performing reserve, making a significant impact whenever they enter the game. This is usually demonstrated by a high points-per-game average, especially in crucial moments. The recipient should also be adaptable, able to play in a two-way style and fit in with different lineups. They should also be selfless, willingly accepting their role as a substitute and filling various needs for the team's success.
The 2023 winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award was Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reid also won the award in 2024, becoming only the fourth center player to win the award in its 41-year history. Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams are the only players to have won the award three times, while Kevin McHale, Ricky Pierce, and Detlef Schrempf have won twice.
For the 2024-25 season, the finalists for the Sixth Man of the Year award were Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome, and Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley. Pritchard is the favourite to win, having been the most consistent player for the Celtics, averaging 14.3 points and shooting 40.7% from three-point range.
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NBA championship trophy
The NBA championship trophy is called the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which was first introduced in 1977. The trophy was originally known as the Walter A. Brown Trophy, but it was renamed in 1984 to honour former NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien, who served from 1975 to 1984. The Boston Celtics were the first team to win the newly renamed trophy in 1984.
The trophy stands at two feet tall and is made of 15.5 pounds of sterling silver and vermeil with a 24-karat gold overlay. The basketball depicted on top is the same size as a real basketball. The trophy was redesigned by artist Victor Solomon for the NBA's 75th anniversary season and is manufactured by Tiffany & Co. The new design features two discs, replacing the previous square foundation. The top disc displays the league's first 75 championship teams from 1947 to 2021, while the bottom disc will feature the next 25 championship teams from 2022 to 2046, in time for the association's 100th anniversary. The slanted ball and net represent the league's desire to be progressive.
The championship-winning team gets to keep the trophy permanently, and a new one is made every year, similar to the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the NFL. The year and winning team are engraved on the trophy, which is often displayed prominently in the winning team's arena.
In recent years, the NBA has actively promoted the O'Brien Trophy to increase its recognition and iconic status. The trophy has embarked on several world tours, visiting various locations and celebrities. It has also been showcased during the NBA Legends Tour, where fans could get autographs and take photos with the trophy.
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Frequently asked questions
Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2023-24 season.
The other nominees for the MVP award were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks won the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
