NBA award finalists 2025: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Rookie of the Year, more

NBA award finalists 2025: Full list of candidates for MVP, Defensive Rookie of the Year, more originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Eyes are turned to the NBA playoff games, but with these games also comes Awards season.

Sunday marks the evening where finalists are announced for each of the major award categories, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and everything in between. With the votes all calculated from the team of sportswriters who decide this end-of-season honor, announcements are set to begin. Here are the finalists as they are announced, as well as the last ten years of winners in each category.

SN's NBA HQ: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule Most Valuable Player Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners Season Winner 2024-25 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder 2023-24 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 2022-23 Joel Embiid, 76ers 2021-22 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 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 Rookie of the Year Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners Season Winner 2024-25 Stephon Castle, Spurs 2023-24 Victor Wembanyama, Spurs 2022-23 Paolo Banchero, Magic 2021-22 Scottie Barnes, Raptors 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 Defensive Player of the Year Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners Season Winner 2024-25 Evan Mobley, Cavaliers 2023-24 Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves 2022-23 Jaren Jackson Jr. , Grizzlies 2021-22 Marcus Smart, Celtics 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 Sixth Man of the Year Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners Season Winner 2024-25 Payton Pritchard, Celtics 2023-24 Naz Reid, Timberwolves 2022-23 Malcolm Brogdon, Celtics 2021-22 Tyler Herro, Heat 2020-21 Jordan Clarkson, Jazz 2019-20 Montrezl Harrell, Clippers 2018-19 Lou Williams, Clippers 2017-18 Lou Williams, Clippers 2016-17 Eric Gordon, Clippers 2015-16 Jamal Crawford, Clippers Most Improved Player Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners Season Winner 2024-25 Dyson Daniels, Hawks 2023-24 Tyrese Maxey, 76ers 2022-23 Lauri Markkanen, Jazz 2021-22 Ja Morant, Grizzlies 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 CJ McCollum, Trail Blazers Clutch Player of the Year Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners This award was introduced during the 2022-23 NBA season. Season Winner 2024-25 Jalen Brunson, Knicks 2023-24 Stephen Curry, Warriors 2022-23 De'Aaron Fox, Kings Coach of the Year Finalists To be announced at 6 PM ET on April 19 Previous winners Season Winner 2024-25 Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers 2023-24 Mark Daigneault, Thunder 2022-23 Mike Brown, Kings 2021-22 Monty Williams, Suns 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