You've spent months watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander slice through defenses or Nikola Jokić throw cross-court lasers that seem physically impossible. The regular season ends, the play-in tournament atmosphere gets rowdy, and suddenly everyone starts asking the same thing: When does the NBA announce the MVP? Honestly, it’s not as straightforward as it used to be. The league doesn't just circle a date on the calendar in October and say, "This is it." Instead, we’re left with a floating window that keeps fans and even the players themselves guessing until the very last second.
The Typical Window: Late April to Late May
If you’re looking for a hard date, you won’t find one. The NBA usually reveals the Most Valuable Player during the NBA Playoffs, specifically between the end of the first round and the start of the conference finals.
Take a look at how they’ve handled it recently. In 2023, Joel Embiid found out he won on May 2. Fast forward to 2024, and the announcement for Nikola Jokić’s third trophy dropped on May 8. But then things got weird. For the 2024-25 season, the announcement for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't happen until May 21, 2025. That was well into the Conference Finals.
Basically, you should start keeping your eyes peeled once the second round of the playoffs gets underway. The league likes to milk the drama.
Why the Date Always Moves
The NBA is a business, and they want eyeballs on the screen. Traditionally, they tried to time the announcement so the winner could receive the Michael Jordan Trophy in front of their home crowd before a Game 2 or Game 5.
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But logistics get messy.
If the MVP’s team gets swept in the first round, it’s kinda awkward to announce them as the "most valuable" while they're sitting on a beach in Cabo. So, the league often waits for a moment that maximizes TV ratings, usually during the pre-game show on TNT or ESPN.
How the Process Actually Works
Before the trophy ever touches a player's hands, a massive voting machine has to churn. As soon as the regular season wraps up, a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the U.S. and Canada submits their ballots.
They don't just pick one name. They rank their top five.
- 1st Place: 10 points
- 2nd Place: 7 points
- 3rd Place: 5 points
- 4th Place: 3 points
- 5th Place: 1 point
The NBA used to do a big, flashy "NBA Awards" show in late June after the Finals were over. It was a disaster. Nobody wanted to celebrate a regular-season award months after the champion had already been crowned. Fans hated it. Players looked bored. The league finally realized this and moved the announcements back into the heat of the playoffs where they actually belong.
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What About the Finalists?
Usually about a week after the regular season ends, the NBA narrows the field. They announce the "final three" for each major award. This usually happens in mid-to-late April. Seeing your favorite player's name on that list is the first real sign that the big announcement is close.
For the 2025-26 season, the buzz is already reaching a fever pitch. We’re seeing names like Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama dominate the conversation, but the official word won't come until that May window.
The 65-Game Rule Factor
There's a new wrinkle in the timeline now. Since 2023, players must play at least 65 games to be eligible for the MVP. This means the league's accountants are working overtime during the final week of the season to verify every minute played. This vetting process can sometimes push the announcement of the finalists back by a day or two, which in turn nudges the final MVP reveal further into May.
Where to Watch the Announcement
When the day finally comes, you won't miss it if you're on social media, but the "official" reveal almost always happens on television.
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Historically, Inside the NBA on TNT was the home for these reveals. However, with the new media rights deals kicking in for the 2025-26 season, keep a close watch on ESPN and ABC. The iconic Inside the NBA crew is moving over to ESPN platforms starting this season, so Ernie, Kenny, Shaq, and Chuck will likely be the ones breaking the news during a playoff pre-game show.
Why the Delay Annoys Fans
A lot of people think the MVP should be announced the day after the season ends. It's a "regular season" award, after all. When the announcement happens in late May, it's easy for voters' picks to look silly if the winner is struggling in the second round of the playoffs.
But that's the NBA. They love the "slow burn" of a narrative.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 MVP Race
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve for this year's announcement, here is what you need to do:
- Bookmark the Playoff Schedule: The MVP is almost never announced on a day without a scheduled playoff game. Look for marquee matchups in the second round.
- Follow NBA Communications on X (Twitter): They usually post the specific "Awards Reveal" schedule about 48 hours before the first trophy is handed out.
- Watch the 65-Game Tracker: If a frontrunner like Luka or Embiid is hovering near that 65-game mark, their eligibility might be a last-minute decision, which can delay the announcement of the finalists.
- Check the Odds: Betting markets often "leak" the winner indirectly. If a player's odds shift from -200 to -1000 overnight in late April, the voters' ballots have likely been unofficially tallied by insiders.
The MVP remains the most prestigious individual honor in basketball. Even if the timing is a bit of a moving target, the moment the commissioner hands over that bronze trophy remains the peak of the NBA calendar.