Oklahoma City Thunder
All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to hold the title of reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP for at least two more months. The 2023-2024 season has been a standout one for the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge as the odds-on favorite to win his second straight NBA MVP award. Additionally, the top-seeded Thunder are considered strong contenders to become the NBA’s first repeat champions since 2018.
The Thunder took a significant step toward their goal by dominating the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, winning 119-84. This victory not only showcased the team’s strength but also brought Gilgeous-Alexander closer to another major achievement.
The NBA recently announced the finalists for all of the league’s end-of-year awards, highlighting some of the most outstanding performances across various categories.
The three finalists for the NBA MVP award are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic. Gilgeous-Alexander is also in the running for the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year, alongside Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets.
While Wembanyama is expected to miss out on the MVP award, he remains a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of three finalists, along with Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson.
In the Rookie of the Year category, the finalists include Cooper Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick for the Dallas Mavericks, VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. Both Edgecombe and Knueppel were selected in the 2024 draft, with Edgecombe going third overall and Knueppel fourth.
For Most Improved Player, the competition is between Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Atlanta Hawks, Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons.
The Sixth Man of the Year finalists are Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Denver Nuggets, Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, and Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the Coach of the Year race features J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs, and Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics.
The NBA confirmed that the Defensive Player of the Year will be revealed on Monday, followed by the Clutch Player of the Year on Tuesday, the Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday, the NBA Sportsmanship Award on Thursday, and the Most Improved Player on Friday. Other awards will be announced later in the postseason.
Fans can view the full list of finalists and the complete NBA playoffs bracket for more details.
