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NBA award finalists 2022: Full list of candidates for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more

Jordan Greer

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NBA award finalists 2022: Full list of candidates for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more image

Which players will win the most prestigious awards for the 2021-22 NBA season?

The league announced the finalists for six individual awards, and the races have 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 to the start of the Play-In Tournament and NBA Playoffs.)

Most Valuable Player

Finalists

  • Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (winner)
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
  • Joel Embiid, 76ers

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2021-22Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2020-21Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2019-20Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2018-19Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2017-18James Harden, Rockets
2016-17Russell Westbrook, Thunder
2015-16Stephen Curry, Warriors
2014-15Stephen Curry, Warriors
2013-14Kevin Durant, Thunder
2012-13LeBron James, Heat
2011-12LeBron James, Heat

Rookie of the Year

Finalists

  • Scottie Barnes, Raptors (winner)
  • Cade Cunningham, Pistons
  • Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2021-22Scottie Barnes, Raptors
2020-21LaMelo Ball, Hornets
2019-20Ja Morant, Grizzlies
2018-19Luka Doncic, Mavericks
2017-18Ben Simmons, 76ers
2016-17Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
2015-16Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves
2014-15Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves
2013-14Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers
2012-13Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
2011-12Blake Griffin, Clippers

Defensive Player of the Year

Finalists

  • Marcus Smart, Celtics (winner)
  • Mikal Bridges, Suns
  • Rudy Gobert, Jazz 

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2021-22Marcus Smart, Celtics
2020-21Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2019-20Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2018-19Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2017-18Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2016-17Draymond Green, Warriors
2015-16Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
2014-15Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
2013-14Joakim Noah, Bulls
2012-13Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
2011-12Tyson Chandler, Knicks

Sixth Man of the Year

Finalists

  • Tyler Herro, Heat (winner)
  • Cam Johnson, Suns
  • Kevin Love, Cavaliers

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2021-22Tyler Herro, Heat
2020-21Jordan Clarkson, Jazz
2019-20Montrezl Harrell, Clippers
2018-19Lou Williams, Clippers
2017-18Lou Williams, Clippers
2016-17Eric Gordon, Rockets
2015-16Jamal Crawford, Clippers
2014-15Lou Williams, Raptors
2013-14Jamal Crawford, Clippers
2012-13J.R. Smith, Knicks
2011-12James Harden, Thunder

Most Improved Player

Finalists

  • Ja Morant, Grizzlies (winner)
  • Darius Garland, Cavaliers
  • Dejounte Murray, Spurs

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2021-22Ja Morant, Grizzlies
2020-21Julius Randle, Knicks
2019-20Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
2018-19Pascal Siakam, Raptors
2017-18Victor Oladipo, Pacers
2016-17Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2015-16C.J. McCollum, Trail Blazers
2014-15Jimmy Butler, Bulls
2013-14Goran Dragic, Suns
2012-13Paul George, Pacers
2011-12Ryan Anderson, Magic

Coach of the Year

Finalists

  • Monty Williams, Suns (winner)
  • Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies
  • Erik Spoelstra, Heat

Previous winners

SeasonWinner
2021-22Monty Williams, Suns
2020-21Tom Thibodeau, Knicks
2019-20Nick Nurse, Raptors
2018-19Mike Budenholzer, Bucks
2017-18Dwane Casey, Raptors
2016-17Mike D'Antoni, Rockets
2015-16Steve Kerr, Warriors
2014-15Mike Budenholzer, Hawks
2013-14Gregg Popovich, Spurs
2012-13George Karl, Nuggets
2011-12Gregg Popovich, Spurs

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.