Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP finalists again

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. He is coming off a season in which he became the third player and first center to average a triple-double and led Denver to the top seed in the Western Conference.

Embiid, meanwhile, led the league in scoring for a second straight season, the first center to do that since Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo in the 1970s. He has finished second to Jokic in the past two MVP votings.

Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA's best record as he looks to claim his third MVP award.

MVP: Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Joel Embiid (76ers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)

Defensive Player of the Year: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), Brook Lopez (Bucks), Evan Mobley (Cavs)

Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero (Magic), Jalen Williams (Thunder), Walker Kessler (Jazz)

Sixth Man of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon (Celtics), Immanuel Quickley (Knicks), Bobby Portis Jr. (Bucks)

Coach of the Year: Mike Brown (Kings), Mark Daignault (Thunder), Joe Mazzulla (Celtics)

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