Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Antetokounmpo, MVP finalists

(AFP) Serbian Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) are the three finalists vying for this season's MVP (Most Valuable Player) award, the NBA announced Sunday.

For the fourth consecutive year, no U.S.-born player is among the three candidates for the season's top individual award.

James Harden, then a star for the Rockets and currently with the Clippers, was the last American to win the award in 2018.

Jokic, who has already won the award three times (2021, 2022 and 2024), and Gilgeous Alexander, who is competing for his first, are the undisputed favorites to receive this recognition.

This season, the Serbian became the fourth player in history—and the first center—to average a triple-double, posting 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.

Despite the "Joker’s" stellar performance, the Denver Nuggets closed the season with a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Western Conference.

The Thunder, on the other hand, were the top team in the regular season, led by a dominant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged an NBA-best 32.7 points, along with 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and an impressive defensive line of 1.7 steals and one block per game.

Antetokounmpo, the league MVP in 2019 and 2020, led the Bucks with averages of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.

Nominations in other categories

The NBA also revealed the finalists in six additional award categories. Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks) is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama as Rookie of the Year, with Stephon Castle (Spurs) and Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies) also vying for the honor.

Veteran Draymond Green (Warriors) is in the running for his second Defensive Player of the Year award, competing against rising stars Evan Mobley (Cavaliers) and Dyson Daniels (Hawks).

Australian Dyson Daniels is also a finalist for the Most Improved Player award, alongside Cade Cunningham (Pistons) and Croatian big man Ivica Zubac (Clippers).

The finalists for Sixth Man of the Year are Payton Pritchard (Celtics), Malik Beasley (Pistons), and Ty Jerome (Cavaliers).

Nikola Jokic will also compete for Clutch Player of the Year, awarded to the most decisive players in crunch-time situations, alongside Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) and Jalen Brunson (Knicks).

On the sidelines, Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers), Ime Udoka (Rockets), and JB Bickerstaff (Pistons) were nominated for Coach of the Year.

The winners of the awards, selected by a panel of journalists, will be announced throughout the playoffs, which began this weekend.