NBA Awards 2022: Full List of Finalists for MVP, DPOY, ROY, 6th Man of Year, COY

The NBA is close to giving out the awards for the upcoming season.

On Sunday's episode of the NBA Tip-Off, the nominees for the most prestigious awards were announced.

Here is the list of people who made it to the final stage.

Most Valuable Player.

• Nikola Jokic, DEN
• Joel Embiid, PHI
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL

The defensive player of the year.

• Mikal Bridges, PHO
• Rudy Gobert, UTA
• Marcus Smart, BOS

The rookies of the year.

• Scottie Barnes, TOR
• Cade Cunningham, DET
• Evan Mobley, CLE

The most improved player.

• Darius Garland, CLE
• Ja Morant, MEM
• Dejounte Murray, SAS

The sixth man of the year.

• Tyler Herro, MIA
• Cameron Johnson, PHO
• Kevin Love, CLE

The coach of the year.

• Taylor Jenkins, MEM
• Erik Spoelstra, MIA
• Monty Williams, PHO

There are notable names in each list of finalist, but the main reason is theMVP race.

It has been a heated battle with many of them having stretches where they seized the initiative.

The three clear-cut favorites by the end of the season were Jokic, Embiid and Antetokounmpo.

Jokic seems to be on track to take home his second straight award after leading the Nuggets in scoring with 27.1 points, while also leading the team in assists with 7.9 and steals with 1.5 per game.

The Denver star became the first player in NBA history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 rebound and 500 assists in a single season.

His ability to carry a decimated team to a 48-34 record and the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference means he is primed to defend hisMVP crown despite strong challenges from Embiid and Antetokounmpo that likely would have been enough to win the award