Thunder stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren chase prestigious NBA awards. SGA contends for MVP and Clutch Player, while Holmgren vies for Defensive Player of the Year.
We interrupt this regularly scheduled Oklahoma City Thunder playoff programming to bring you an NBA Awards update.
OKC was well represented on Sunday evening when the top three finalists for each of the season awards were announced. Namely, the 2026 All-Star duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren combined for three total finalist selections.
Gilgeous-Alexander has finished as a top three finalist for Most Valuable Player for the third straight season. It's the fourth straight year the OKC superstar will finish in the top five. All signs point to Gilgeous-Alexander reaching rare air and winning the league's most prestigious individual award in back to back seasons.
Holmgren has finished as a top three finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. While Wembanyama is almost certainly a lock to take home the award, it's likely the anchor of the league's best defense will finish as the runner up. Holmgren's finalist standing is a precursor to his upcoming first time selection as a First Team All-Defense member.
Gilgeous-Alexander also finished as a top three finalist for Clutch Player of the Year. Incredibly, the Thunder point guard led the NBA in clutch scoring despite sitting out 26 4th quarters this season. Nobody in the league played better when games were close than Gilgeous-Alexander, and he will likely soon have the hardware to prove it.
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year will be announced on Monday, April 20th at 5pm central time on NBC/Peacock. The NBA Clutch Player of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, April 21st at 5pm central time on NBC/Peacock. The NBA Most Valuable Player announcement time is yet to be determined.
2025-2026 NBA Awards Finalists
2025-26 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
2025-26 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
2025-26 Kia NBA Most Rookie of the Year Award
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
2025-26 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
Tim Hardaway Jr, Denver Nuggets
Jaime Jaquez Jr, Miami Heat
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
2025-26 Kia NBA Coach of the Year Award
J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics