Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, SGA are NBA MVP finalists
Jan 19, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Monte Morris (11) in the third quarter at Ball Arena. credits: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is among the three finalists for NBA MVP, the league announced Sunday night.
Jokic is a two-time winner of the award. The other finalists are Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jokic, who guided the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title, averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists in 79 games this season.
Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder are the No. 1 playoff seed in the Western Conference. He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 75 games.
Doncic led the NBA with a 33.9 scoring average. He also recorded 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds in 70 games.
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves is one of the finalists in the category again this season. He won his three awards when he played for the Utah Jazz. The other finalists are Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
Wembanyama also is a finalist for Rookie of the Year. Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets are the other two.
Oklahoma City's Mark Daigneault, Minnesota's Chris Finch and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic are the Coach of the Year finalists.
The finalists for Sixth Man of the Year are Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings, Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks and Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the candidates for Most Improved Player. The others are Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets and Coby White of the Chicago Bulls.
Gilgeous-Alexander is a finalist for Clutch Player of the Year along with Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls.
—Field Level Media
Why the NBA's New Anti-Tanking Ideas May Backfire
New England Patriots Have Major Needs After Super Bowl Loss
Why the AFC North Makes Sense for Tyreek Hill’s Next Team
The Minnesota Twins Should've Traded Pablo Lopez Last Year
Why the NBA’s Tanking Problem Isn’t What You Think
- Genesis Invitational Best Betting Picks: Scottie Scheffler Headlines Return to Riviera
- NBA Betting Picks for Thursday Feb. 19th’s Return From All-Star Break
- Best 2026 American League Central Season-Long Future Betting Predictions
- Tuesday Feb. 17th College Basketball Betting Picks and Predictions
- Best 2026 American League East Season-Long Future Betting Predictions
- Best College Basketball Bets for Monday: Duke vs Syracuse, Houston vs Iowa State
- NBA All-Star Game Betting Preview: Best Picks for World vs. USA and MVP Odds

