NBA Awards 2026: Full Winners List, Shocking Snubs & Historic Firsts

The NBA has unveiled the finalists for all seven of its 2025-26 regular-season awards as the postseason tips off, and one trophy has already found a home. Below is everything fans need to know—including key dates, headline contenders and what Victor Wembanyama’s historic Defensive Player of the Year win means for the rest of awards week. Spotlight on the Early Winner: Wembanyama Makes History • San Antonio’s 22-year-old sensation became the youngest—and first unanimous—Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year ever, edging fellow finalists Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson. • Wembanyama also remains in the hunt for a second piece of hardware as a top-three MVP candidate, positioning him for a rare double-crown season. MVP Race Headlines a Star-Studded Ballot • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City), Nikola Jokić (Denver) and Wembanyama (San Antonio) are your finalists for the Kia Most Valuable Player award. • Gilgeous-Alexander is aiming for back-to-back MVP honors, while Jokić seeks a historic fourth, and Wembanyama looks to join Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as players to take DPOY and MVP in the same season. Rookie of the Year: Freshmen Face-Off • VJ Edgecombe (76ers), Cooper Flagg (Mavericks) and Kon Knueppel (Hornets) headline perhaps the deepest rookie class in a decade. Each averaged at least 17 points per game while carrying significant roles on their respective teams. Other Major Honors Still Up for Grabs • Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Deni Avdija, Jalen Duren • Sixth Man of the Year: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jaime Jaquez Jr., Keldon Johnson • Clutch Player of the Year: Anthony Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray • Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff, Mitch Johnson, Joe Mazzulla Award finalists were selected through a weighted points system based on first-, second- and third-place media votes cast at the end of the regular season. When Will the Winners Be Announced? • Mon – Defensive Player of the Year (already awarded) • Tue – Clutch Player of the Year • Wed – Sixth Man of the Year • Thu – NBA Sportsmanship Award • Fri – Most Improved Player The remaining awards—including MVP and Rookie of the Year—will roll out during the second round of the playoffs, ensuring maximum spotlight. Why This Year’s Awards Matter More Than Ever 1. Record Watch: Jokić could become only the fourth player to capture four MVPs, while Wembanyama eyes the first DPOY-MVP combo in two decades. 2. Youth Movement: For the first time, every major individual award features at least one player under 24, underscoring a generational shift already reflected in league-wide pace and scoring metrics. 3. Playoff Implications: Award narratives often spill into postseason performance; momentum from a trophy can translate to additional media cycles and jersey sales, boosting both team revenue and player marketability. How Fans Can Follow Along • Live reveal shows will air nightly on NBA TV and stream on the NBA App. • The league’s official awards hub updates in real time with winner graphics, voting totals and historical context—bookmark it now to stay ahead of the conversation. • Social media hashtags to watch: #NBAMVP, #NBAROTY, #NBAAwards. Bottom Line The 2026 NBA awards season is already historic thanks to Victor Wembanyama’s precedent-shattering DPOY. With MVP, Rookie of the Year and five other trophies still in play, expect nightly buzz and fierce debates as the league crowns the rest of its standout performers. Keeping tabs on the announcement schedule will ensure fans don’t miss a moment—because in a year defined by emerging superstars, every award could be a glimpse into the NBA’s future.