NBA Awards show live stream: How to watch 2017 event online

The league names its MVP Monday night.

LeBron James carried the Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant’s first season with the Warriors ended with a championship ring and postseason MVP status.

But when the league holds its first-ever NBA Awards show Monday night, neither will be in the running for regular season MVP consideration. Instead, finalists James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kawhi Leonard will each wait to see if they’ve earned the game’s highest honor.

Any of the three would be a first-time recipient, unseating two-time trophy winner Steph Curry in the process. Harden carried the Rockets on his back to a 55-win season thanks to insane per-game averages of 29 points, more than 11 assists, and eight rebounds. Westbrook outdid him in his first year without Durant, becoming the first player to average a triple-double over the course of a season since Oscar Robertson in 1962. Leonard’s two-way play made Tim Duncan’s absence and Manu Ginobili’s aging non-factors in San Antonio.

The winner will have his name called by the league’s highest-profile fan, as multi-platinum recording artist Drake has earned hosting duties for the NBA Awards debut. He won’t just have the chance to rub elbows with ballers and name the game’s top player — he’ll also unveil a host of other awards like Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.

Unfortunately for the rapper, not a single player from his hometown Toronto Raptors has been named a finalist for any of this year’s big-name honors. Instead, teams like the Bucks, Spurs, and 76ers will be well-represented in New York.

The 2017 All-NBA teams have already been announced to help teams plan for the future — a spot on the team can mean a significant contract boost for young veterans. Monday’s honors will instead focus on singular players, lending credence to Hall of Fame debates down the road. While familiar recipients like James, Durant, and Curry missed out on the short lists for the league’s top awards, this year’s honors suggest the crowning of a new era of NBA superstars.

Here’s a list of nominees for basketball’s biggest awards:

MVP:

James Harden, Rockets
Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs

Rookie of the Year:

Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
Joel Embiid, 76ers
Dario Saric, 76ers

Sixth Man of the Year:

Eric Gordon, Rockets
Andre Iguodala, Warriors
Lou Williams, Lakers/Rockets

Coach of the Year:

Mike D'Antoni, Rockets
Gregg Popovich, Spurs
Erik Spoelstra, Heat

Most Improved Player:

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

Defensive Player of the Year:

Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Draymond Green, Warriors
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs

How to Watch the 2017 NBA Awards show

When: Monday, June 26, 9 p.m. ET

Where: New York City, NY

TV: TNT

Live stream: NBA.com/NBAawards