NBA Awards Show 2018: Time, TV schedule, and finalists
Will James Harden win his first MVP? Ben Simmons ROY?
The 2018 NBA awards will be revealed on Monday night at 9:00 p.m. ET in Santa Monica, California, a full 17 days after the Finals wrapped up. It’s finally time we learn who’s won the MVP, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year and more. While most of the pool feels decided, the big question surrounds who will win Rookie of the Year: Donovan Mitchell or Ben Simmons? That debate heated up in the final few weeks.
This is the second year the event has been held. Last year Drake hosted, and this time around, Anthony Anderson will take the spotlight. Travis Scott is also scheduled to perform.
Here’s each award, and the three finalists up for it:
Most Valuable Player
Rookie of the Year
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics
- Ben Simmons, Sixers
- Donovan Mitchell, Jazz
Defensive Player of the Year
- Joel Embiid, Sixers
- Rudy Gobert, Jazz
- Anthony Davis, Pelicans
Sixth Man of the Year
- Lou Williams, Clippers
- Fred VanVleet, Raptors
- Eric Gordon, Rockets
Most Improved Player of the Year
- Victor Oladipo, Pacers
- Clint Capela, Rockets
- Spencer Dinwiddie, Nets
Coach of the Year
- Dwane Casey, Raptors
- Brad Stevens, Celtics
- Quin Snyder, Jazz
Oscar Robertson is also set to receive a lifetime achievement award, and Dikembe Mutombo will receive the Sager Strong award.
This year, the league also added fan-voted categories to accompany the main awards. You can vote for the Play of the Year here.
Nominees include LeBron James’ fadeaway buzzer-beater over the Timberwolves, his no-look pass to Ante Zizic, Giannis Anteotokounmpo’s alley-oop over Tim Hardaway Jr.’s head, Anthony Davis’ block of Royce O’Neale’s dunk and Kyrie Irving’s unreal handles to get by Malcolm Brogdon.
Those nominees beat out their competition in each category (Dunk of the Year, Assist of the Year, etc.) to advance to the Play of the Year nominee pool. In addition, Russell Westbrook won Best Style.
Monday night should be a fun one to cap off the year, just a week before free agency begins and another season starts.
NBA Awards Show 2018
Date: June 25
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where: Santa Monica, Califoria
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app