NBA award finalists 2022: Full list of candidates for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more
Which players will win the most prestigious awards for the 2021-22 NBA season?
The league will announce the finalists for six individual awards during Thursday night’s “NBA on TNT” pregame show (6 p.m. ET). The races will come down to three candidates for the following honors: Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year.
MORE: The MVP case for Nikola Jokic without advanced stats
Finalists were chosen based on voting results from a global panel of media members, which includes both broadcasters and writers. Winners will be announced at later dates.
Check out the full list of finalists below.
(Note: Voters submitted their ballots prior the start of the Play-In Tournament and NBA Playoffs.)
Most Valuable Player
Finalists
(This section will be updated when finalists are revealed on April 17.)
Previous winners
Season | Winner |
2020-21 | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets |
2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
2018-19 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
2017-18 | James Harden, Rockets |
2016-17 | Russell Westbrook, Thunder |
2015-16 | Stephen Curry, Warriors |
2014-15 | Stephen Curry, Warriors |
2013-14 | Kevin Durant, Thunder |
2012-13 | LeBron James, Heat |
2011-12 | LeBron James, Heat |
Rookie of the Year
Finalists
(This section will be updated when finalists are revealed on April 17.)
Previous winners
Season | Winner |
2020-21 | LaMelo Ball, Hornets |
2019-20 | Ja Morant, Grizzlies |
2018-19 | Luka Doncic, Mavericks |
2017-18 | Ben Simmons, 76ers |
2016-17 | Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks |
2015-16 | Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves |
2014-15 | Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves |
2013-14 | Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers |
2012-13 | Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers |
2011-12 | Blake Griffin, Clippers |
Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists
(This section will be updated when finalists are revealed on April 17.)
Previous winners
Season | Winner |
2020-21 | Rudy Gobert, Jazz |
2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
2018-19 | Rudy Gobert, Jazz |
2017-18 | Rudy Gobert, Jazz |
2016-17 | Draymond Green, Warriors |
2015-16 | Kawhi Leonard, Spurs |
2014-15 | Kawhi Leonard, Spurs |
2013-14 | Joakim Noah, Bulls |
2012-13 | Marc Gasol, Grizzlies |
2011-12 | Tyson Chandler, Knicks |
Sixth Man of the Year
Finalists
(This section will be updated when finalists are revealed on April 17.)
Previous winners
Season | Winner |
2020-21 | Jordan Clarkson, Jazz |
2019-20 | Montrezl Harrell, Clippers |
2018-19 | Lou Williams, Clippers |
2017-18 | Lou Williams, Clippers |
2016-17 | Eric Gordon, Rockets |
2015-16 | Jamal Crawford, Clippers |
2014-15 | Lou Williams, Raptors |
2013-14 | Jamal Crawford, Clippers |
2012-13 | J.R. Smith, Knicks |
2011-12 | James Harden, Thunder |
Most Improved Player
Finalists
(This section will be updated when finalists are revealed on April 17.)
Previous winners
Season | Winner |
2020-21 | Julius Randle, Knicks |
2019-20 | Brandon Ingram, Pelicans |
2018-19 | Pascal Siakam, Raptors |
2017-18 | Victor Oladipo, Pacers |
2016-17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks |
2015-16 | C.J. McCollum, Trail Blazers |
2014-15 | Jimmy Butler, Bulls |
2013-14 | Goran Dragic, Suns |
2012-13 | Paul George, Pacers |
2011-12 | Ryan Anderson, Magic |
Coach of the Year
Finalist
(This section will be updated when finalists are revealed on April 17.)
Previous winners
Season | Winner |
2020-21 | Tom Thibodeau, Knicks |
2019-20 | Nick Nurse, Raptors |
2018-19 | Mike Budenholzer, Bucks |
2017-18 | Dwane Casey, Raptors |
2016-17 | Mike D’Antoni, Rockets |
2015-16 | Steve Kerr, Warriors |
2014-15 | Mike Budenholzer, Hawks |
2013-14 | Gregg Popovich, Spurs |
2012-13 | George Karl, Nuggets |
2011-12 | Gregg Popovich, Spurs |