First Wave of NBA Awards Are In: Who Got Snubbed?

As the NBA Playoffs heat up, the league has begun unveiling its award winners, and as always, the fan reactions are coming in fast. The heavy hitting awards aren't expected to be revealed until mid-May—but while the most prestigious honors are still to come, the three released have already sparked plenty of debate. Fans are making their voices heard. Were certain players robbed? Let’s break down the winners, the runners-up, and how the basketball world is feeling so far.

Sixth Man of the Year - Payton Pritchard

Payton Pritchard’s Sixth Man of the Year win shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The 27-year-old had a breakout season, posting career highs across the board in points, assists, and rebounds, while shooting an efficient 47% from the field and 40% from deep. In a Boston backcourt already stacked with talent, Pritchard carved out a crucial role, averaging 14 points per game and notably outscoring full-time starter and two-way legend Jrue Holiday. While third-place finisher Ty Jerome put together a solid campaign, it didn’t quite measure up to Pritchard’s production or impact. Runner-up Malik Beasley, however, sparked louder conversations—especially from Detroit fans. Beasley averaged 16 points, played the full 82 games and knocked down more threes than Pritchard. Still, the deciding factor may have been Beasley’s number of starts, which blurred his eligibility in the eyes of some voters. Ultimately, Pritchard’s consistent scoring punch off the bench, team impact, and efficient shooting made him a deserving choice for the honor.

Clutch Player of the Year - Jalen Brunson

This year’s Clutch Player of the Year award was a no-brainer. While Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic were worthy runners-up, neither matched the fourth-quarter dominance of Jalen Brunson. The Knicks guard led the NBA in clutch scoring, averaging 5.6 points per game in clutch situations, which is defined as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points. Brunson also led the league in clutch field goals made (52), ranked second in total clutch points (156), and third in assists (28) during those high-pressure moments. Even more impressive: he shot a hyper-efficient 51.5% from the field and 84.0% from the line in the clutch. In the 28 games that were considered clutch or went into overtime, the Knicks went 17–11, finishing fifth in the league in clutch win percentage. The buzzer-beater over Dyson Daniels in February—the cold-blooded dagger against 6'8 Dorian Finney-Smith and the Nets, Brunson repeatedly delivered when the moment called for it. He’s emerging as one of the most reliable closers—and this award only confirms it.

Defensive Player of the Year - Evan Mobley

At just 23 years old, Evan Mobley took home Defensive Player of the Year honors—but not without controversy. Mobley’s defense has been elite all season, anchoring Cleveland’s frontcourt with versatility and rim protection. But many fans felt the award should’ve gone to Dyson Daniels. The 21-year old Pelicans guard had a historic defensive season, doubling his steals total from the year prior and leading the entire NBA in steals by a wide margin. Despite this, Daniels finished 88 votes behind Mobley, collecting 25 first-place votes, 17 second-place, and 21 third-place nods—meaning 63 of the 100 voters still viewed him as a top-three defender. So why the snub? Lately, the Defensive Player of the Year award hasn’t always gone to the statistically dominant candidate, but rather to players whose defense anchors winning systems and team culture. Mobley certainly fits that mold, and his best years are still ahead of him. Still, Daniels’ breakout year as a first-time full-time starter didn’t go unnoticed and judging by fan reaction, he’s earned the league’s respect even if the trophy didn’t follow.

That’s a wrap, and truthfully—it feels like most fans can live with the results so far. But let’s not get too comfortable. Something tells me the reactions won’t be the same once the MVP is announced. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-season slump raising eyebrows and Jokic playing hard, the deficit increases. We’re just getting started, so stay locked into fansonlysportz.com for full coverage as the awards season reaches its final chapter.

That's the shot clock ⏰

Until next time,

— JP