Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is once again in the race to win The Most Valuable Player of the NBA season award.
The Greek is the reigning NBA MVP and is a four-time NBA All-star teamer, and he will be contending with Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and Houston Rocket’s James Harden.
Giannis, 25, was also listed in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Category alongside Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz and Anthony Davis of Los Angeles Lakers.
The finalists were released on Sunday on the NBA’s website with the usual six categories nominees listed out.
Meanwhile, the rookie of the year list has New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, Kendrick Nunn of Miami Heat, and Ja Morant of Memphis Grizzlies.
For the NBA Coach of the Year Milwaukee Bucks Mike Budenholzer, Billy Donovan of Oklahoma City Thunder and Nick Nurse of Toronto Raptors are the nominees.
The other two categories of nominees for the 2019-20 NBA top performers include the following:
Kia NBA Sixth Man Award
- Montrezl Harrell, LA Clippers
- Dennis Schröder, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Lou Williams, LA Clippers
Kia NBA Most Improved Player
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
- Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons will have to undergo a Knee Surgery on his injured left knee.
This was announced by the 76ers on Saturday, who confirmed that the player would be leaving the NBA Bubble.
Simmons sustained the injury last Wednesday in the match against Washington, leaving the match in the third quarter.
However, a return date for the player hasn’t been stated, but the surgery will be done in the coming days.
“After consultation with the 76ers medical staff and several specialists, Ben Simmons will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a loose body in his left knee, The loose body resulted from a left patella subluxation he suffered in Wednesday’s game against Washington.” the 76ers team release stated according to the NBA.
Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu