Nikola Jokic is named a finalist for the NBA MVP award, positioning him to potentially win his third MVP in four seasons, with Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also among the top contenders.

By the Numbers

• Jokic could become the ninth player with three or more MVPs in NBA history.
• This year would mark the sixth consecutive year that an international player wins the MVP award.

Yes, ButJoel Embiid was ineligible this year due to a new league rule on award participation based on games played.

State of Play

• Victor Wembanyama is the favorite for Rookie of the Year, with impressive stats and as a potential international winner.
• Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, and Wembanyama are the finalists for Defensive Player of the Year.
• Mark Daigneault, Chris Finch, and Jamahl Mosley are the Coach of the Year finalists.

What’s NextThe NBA is set to announce award winners periodically over the coming days based on the panel’s regular season votes.

Bottom LineNikola Jokic’s MVP candidacy highlights a year of international talent shining in the NBA awards, with exciting competitions across various categories.

NBA award finalists 2024: Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named in 2 races

The Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić were named finalists for the 2024 NBA MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander is also a finalist for Clutch Player of the Year, while San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama is in the race for Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

The league announced finalists for its regular-season awards, as voted on by members of the media, on Sunday on TNT. The winners will be announced on TNT during the network’s playoff coverage, starting April 23.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid won the MVP honor last season.

Finalists in remaining award races

• Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, Wembanyama
• Coach of the Year: Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves), Mark Daigneault (Thunder), Jamahl Mosley (Orlando Magic)
• Rookie of the Year: Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Wembanyama
• Clutch Player of the Year: Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Gilgeous-Alexander
• Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Monk, Bobby Portis, Naz Reid
• Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey, Coby White, Alperen Şengün

What stands out?

There are no blockbuster surprises in this list, as all the perceived award favorites made it into the three finalists in each category. The most notable finalist was Dončić, who beat out Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo for the top three in an MVP race where Jokić is widely expected to be crowned for a third time and Gilgeous-Alexander seems likely to finish second.

Comparatively, the biggest surprise, perhaps, was that Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanović didn’t make the finalist list for the Sixth Man award — possibly because he started 33 games. Instead, Milwaukee’s Portis beat him out for the top 3, although Sacramento’s Monk and Minnesota’s Reid are widely expected to be the top two vote-getters.

Also notable was Boston’s Joe Mazzulla not cranking the top three in a crowded Coach of the Year field despite winning a league-best 64 games.

Finally, the complicated rules on award eligibility in the new CBA meant that Houston’s Şengün finished in the top three for the Most Improved Player award despite playing only 63 games, short of the usual standard of 65. Because he had a season-ending injury and a league-approved doctor confirmed the extent of the injury, he remained on electronic award ballots sent to voters after the season.