Who are the finalists for NBA MVP 2022?

Speculation has been rife the past season about who will emerge as this year’s NBA MVP, with multiple players in the running down to the wire. Towards the end of the season, however, the picture became clearer, with a few names coming out on top.

The field has been narrowed down officially, with the league announcing the finalists for the Most Valuable Player award, as well as for five other major prizes. There are three finalists for each of the awards, and the results are based on votes from members of the media.

NBA MVP 2022: Big men finalists

As widely expected, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets made the cut.

Jokic was last year’s winner, while Antetokounmpo got the trophy in 2019 and 2020. Embiid however, has yet to clinch the award.

The NBA usually announces the winner of the MVP award at the end of June, though this date is by no means set in stone. Last year, Jokic won the award on June 8, while Antetokounmpo got his 2020 trophy on Sept. 18.

NBA Rookie of the Year 2022 finalists

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers are battling it out for Rookie of the Year. This trophy, unlike most of the others, tends to be a prize that values individual excellence and not necessarily the success of the team.

The league is expected to announce the Rookie of the Year at the annual NBA awards, which take place following the conclusion of the NBA finals.

Here is the list of finalists for each award.

Most Valuable Player

Defensive Player of the Year

Rookie of the Year

Most Improved Player

Sixth Man of the Year

Coach of the Year