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
This is the second Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award for Nikola Jokić, who also earned the honor last season. He becomes the 13th player to win the award in consecutive seasons.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 11, 2022
More ➡️ https://t.co/hVjnZunkcw
Voting Results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fZlabO0aFF
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 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 |
| 2014-15 | Stephen Curry, Warriors |
| 2013-14 | Kevin Durant, Thunder |
| 2012-13 | LeBron James, Heat |
| 2011-12 | LeBron James, Heat |
Rookie of the Year
Finalists
- Scottie Barnes, Raptors (winner)
- Cade Cunningham, Pistons
- Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
The 15-point difference between the NBA Rookie of the Year winner (Scottie Barnes) and the second-place finisher (Evan Mobley) is the smallest margin since the current voting format began 19 years ago.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 23, 2022
More ➡️ https://t.co/dC7zbvLY5q
Full voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LWhlYARDcX
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 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 |
| 2014-15 | Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves |
| 2013-14 | Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers |
| 2012-13 | Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers |
| 2011-12 | Blake Griffin, Clippers |
Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists
- Marcus Smart, Celtics (winner)
- Mikal Bridges, Suns
- Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Marcus Smart is the first guard to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. Smart is also the second player to win the award with the @celtics, joining Kevin Garnett (2007-08).
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 18, 2022
More ➡️ https://t.co/Y4VQicGkiq
Full voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9WX2L25o4M
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 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 |
| 2014-15 | Kawhi Leonard, Spurs |
| 2013-14 | Joakim Noah, Bulls |
| 2012-13 | Marc Gasol, Grizzlies |
| 2011-12 | Tyson Chandler, Knicks |
Sixth Man of the Year
Finalists
- Tyler Herro, Heat (winner)
- Cam Johnson, Suns
- Kevin Love, Cavaliers
Tyler Herro is the first player to win the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award with the Miami Heat.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 3, 2022
More ➡️ https://t.co/d8ElEthWGu
Voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Orkvo29AYR
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 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, Rockets |
| 2015-16 | Jamal Crawford, Clippers |
| 2014-15 | Lou Williams, Raptors |
| 2013-14 | Jamal Crawford, Clippers |
| 2012-13 | J.R. Smith, Knicks |
| 2011-12 | James Harden, Thunder |
Most Improved Player
Finalists
- Ja Morant, Grizzlies (winner)
- Darius Garland, Cavaliers
- Dejounte Murray, Spurs
Ja Morant is the first player to win the Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award with the Memphis Grizzlies.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 25, 2022
More ➡️ https://t.co/DGowSmohq5
Voting Results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xRFlJ9dtEW
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 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 | C.J. McCollum, Trail Blazers |
| 2014-15 | Jimmy Butler, Bulls |
| 2013-14 | Goran Dragic, Suns |
| 2012-13 | Paul George, Pacers |
| 2011-12 | Ryan Anderson, Magic |
Coach of the Year
Finalists
- Monty Williams, Suns (winner)
- Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies
- Erik Spoelstra, Heat
This is the first NBA Coach of the Year Award for Monty Williams, who joins Cotton Fitzsimmons (1988-89) and Mike D’Antoni (2004-05) as head coaches to earn the honor with the Phoenix Suns.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 9, 2022
More ➡️ https://t.co/obiypxju1g
Voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EcZNzURSOc
Previous winners
| Season | Winner |
| 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 |
| 2014-15 | Mike Budenholzer, Hawks |
| 2013-14 | Gregg Popovich, Spurs |
| 2012-13 | George Karl, Nuggets |
| 2011-12 | Gregg Popovich, Spurs |
