The NBA revealed its top three finalists for seven major individual awards for the 2023-24 regular season, showcasing some familiar faces and rising stars.
Nikola Jokic, a consistent MVP contender, earned his fourth straight nomination, while San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama emerged as a standout rookie and defensive force.
Jokic, a previous MVP winner, continued his stellar performance, leading the Denver Nuggets to another strong season. Joining him as MVP finalists were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, both making their first appearances in the running.
In the Rookie of the Year category, no surprises emerged, with the top picks of the 2023 draft dominating. Wembanyama, alongside Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcased their talent in their debut season.
Defensive prowess was recognized in the Defensive Player of the Year category, with seasoned player Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the pack. Wembanyama and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat rounded out the finalists, showcasing their impact on the defensive end.
The Most Improved Player category saw Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, Coby White of the Chicago Bulls, and Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets competing for the honor, each demonstrating significant growth in their performance.
In the Sixth Man of the Year race, Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings, Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks stood out for their contributions off the bench.
Coach of the Year finalists included Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic, and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves, each guiding their teams to notable achievements throughout the season.
DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were recognized as finalists for the Clutch Player of the Year award, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure.
The NBA will announce the winners of these awards, along with the All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie teams, in the coming weeks, celebrating the outstanding performances of players and coaches throughout the season.