Two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo were named the three finalists for the league's MVP award for a second straight season Friday night.
The awards finalists for all seven of the league's major individual honors, which are voted on by media members, were announced on TNT's «Inside The NBA» ahead of the Eastern Conference play-in game Friday night in Miami between the Heat and Chicago Bulls.
Ballots are due Monday evening. Jokic, Embiid and Antetokounmpo finished in that order in the MVP voting last season and in three of the top four spots in the voting for the 2021 MVP award.
Jokic would become only the fourth player in NBA history to win three straight MVPs, joining Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.