Victor Wembanyama joins Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA MVP finalists
Victor Wembanyama has joined former winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic as a finalist for this season’s NBA Most Valuable Player award.
Jokic made history this year by becoming the first player to lead the league in both total assists and rebounds.
The Denver Nuggets centre averaged a remarkable triple-double across the campaign while scoring 27.7 points per game.
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander posted 31.1 points and 6.6 assists on 55% shooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wembanyama dominates defensive categories
The San Antonio Spurs standout is also the overwhelming favourite to secure the Defensive Player of the Year honour.
The towering Frenchman led the NBA in blocked shots per game for a third consecutive season.
He is joined on the defensive ballot by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson.
Award eligibility and the 65-game rule
Gilgeous-Alexander is additionally nominated for the Clutch Player of the Year prize alongside Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards.
Edwards features on the clutch ballot despite falling short of the league’s 65-game minimum requirement for standard award eligibility.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard remains eligible for this specific accolade because the nominees are selected directly by head coaches.
Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham also missed the 65-game threshold but successfully appealed under the “extraordinary circumstances” clause to remain on All-NBA ballots.
Rising stars and coaching recognitions
Jalen Duren, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Deni Avdija are the final three contenders for the Most Improved Player award.
Portland’s Avdija earned his first All-Star appearance this year while averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
The Rookie of the Year race will be contested by highly-rated prospects Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and V.J. Edgecombe.
On the touchline, J.B. Bickerstaff, Mitch Johnson and Joe Mazzulla have been shortlisted for Coach of the Year.
The NBA will begin announcing the official winners prior to evening tip-offs throughout the coming week.
