The NBA’s Most Valuable Player trophy might stay in the hands of the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic after the Denver Nuggets star center was revealed as one of the finalists for this season’s award. Jokic is joined by the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo on the list.
Jokic followed his MVP season in 2020-21 with an even better campaign that saw him put career numbers in points (27.1), rebounds (13.8), and shooting percentage (58.3). The only thing that might steer the voters elsewhere is the fact that his Nuggets finished 6th in the Western Conference.
Embiid, who was Jokic’s biggest rival last year, already took home the scoring title by averaging 30.6 points in 68 games this season. He also had 11.7 boards and 4.2 assists while the 76ers took the fourth seed in the East.
Finally, Antetokounmpo is looking to win his third MVP award in four years. He also had monster numbers that included 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season while being regarded as the best defender out of the three finalists. The “Greek Freak” is on the most successful team since the Bucks finished No. 3 in the Eastern Conference.
The NBA also revealed the finalists for other regular-season awards. The Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes, the Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley are the finalists for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. On the other hand, the Defensive Player of the Year award will go to Mikal Bridges (Phoenix Suns), Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz), or Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics).
Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers), Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies), and Dejounte Murray (San Antonio Spurs) are finalists for the Most Improved Player award. At the same time, Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Cam Johnson (Phoenix Suns), and Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers) are candidates for Sixth Man of the Year.
Finally, Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies), Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat), and Monty Williams (Phoenix Suns) are the finalists for the Head Coach of the Year award.
