Finalists announced for 2021-22 NBA awards

NEW YORK – The NBA today announced the finalists for six awards that honor top performers for the 2021-22 regular season: NBA Coach of the Year, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kia NBA Most Improved Player, Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

The three finalists for each annual award, based on voting results from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, are listed in alphabetical order below.

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Kia NBA Most Valuable Player

WINNER: Nikola Jokic

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
• Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Check out your 2021-22 #KiaMVP finalists…

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic
Joel Embiid#NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/xxigK4RJBc

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2022

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NBA Coach of the Year

WINNER: Monty Williams

• Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies
• Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
• Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns

Presenting your 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year finalists:

Taylor Jenkins
Erik Spoelstra
Monty Williams #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/2sCGpbZvQP

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2022

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Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year

WINNER: Marcus Smart

• Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
• Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
• Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

Here are your 2021-22 #KiaDPOY finalists:

Mikal Bridges
Rudy Gobert
Marcus Smart #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/PJ2GX4QPYA

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2022

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Kia NBA Most Improved Player

WINNER: Ja Morant

• Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
• Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs

The 2021-22 #KiaMIP finalists are in:

Darius Garland
Ja Morant
Dejounte Murray#NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/8kSusX4Yqx

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2022

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Kia NBA Rookie of the Year

WINNER: Scottie Barnes

• Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
• Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
• Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

The 2021-22 #KiaROY finalists:

Scottie Barnes
Cade Cunningham
Evan Mobley #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/gxrg0aa17j

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2022

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Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year

WINNER: Tyler Herro

• Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
• Cam Johnson, Phoenix Suns
• Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

A look at the 2021-22 #KiaSixth finalists:

Tyler Herro
Cam Johnson
Kevin Love#NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/tfAFeB2FaK

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 17, 2022

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TNT will announce the winner of each award during its coverage of the 2022 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.  Each voter’s complete ballot for each award will be posted at PR.NBA.com after the announcement of all end-of-season awards.