The NBA defined the contenders for the most important award of the 2025-26 regular season, leaving the season's leading scorer, Luka Doncic, off the list. The league confirmed that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama will compete for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, a trio that brings together different profiles but with a decisive impact on their teams. The Canadian Gilgeous-Alexander arrives with solid support after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the league, with 64 wins and 18 losses. His offensive performance has been consistent, averaging 31.1 points per game and a 55.3% field goal percentage, numbers that bolster his candidacy after winning the award last season. Meanwhile, Jokic is back in the conversation after another high-level season with the Denver Nuggets. The Serbian center, a three-time MVP winner, averaged a triple-double with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, solidifying his role as a key player for his team. The third name is that of Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who continues to excel for the San Antonio Spurs. In addition to contributing 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, he led the league in blocks with 3.1 per game, which also places him among the candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. A Mexican player is among the season's nominees. The NBA also announced the finalists in the various individual categories. The candidates for Rookie of the Year are Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks, Kon Knuckles of the Charlotte Hornets, and VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers. In the defensive category, Wembanyama is again a contender, along with Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons. The Clutch Player of the Year award will be contested by Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and Anthony Edwards. Meanwhile, the Sixth Man of the Year award will be contested between Jaime Jaquez Jr., Keldon Johnson, and Tim Hardaway Jr. In another category, Most Improved Player, the nominees are Jalen Duren, Deni Avdija, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Finally, the Coach of the Year award will have Joe Mazzula, Mitch Johnson, and JB Bickerstaff as contenders.The announcement of these awards will mark the end of the regular season and lead to the recognition of the season's most outstanding players.