2026 NBA Midseason Awards, Including MVP, Biggest Disappointment & Breakthrough Player

Story by

Story by
2026 NBA Midseason Awards, Including MVP, Biggest Disappointment & Breakthrough Player

2026 NBA Midseason Awards, Including MVP, Biggest Disappointment & Breakthrough Player — Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Jason Burgos · Sportsnaut

Wed, Jan 21, 2026 ·

6 min read

About Our Ads

We have officially passed the midway point of the 2025-26 NBA season. With over 41 games in the books for every team, many different storylines have emerged, as well as early favorites for the league's top honors.

While we won't get official results on who will win this season's NBA awards until the spring, that doesn't mean we can't hand out early honors for the most outstanding performances during the first half of the season. With that in mind, let's take a look at our midseason NBA awards, including the best and worst teams so far this season.

First Half NBA MVP: Jaylen Brown , Boston Celtics

If not for a knee injury, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic would be a heavy favorite to win the 2026 NBA MVP award. However, with him expected to come up short of the 65-game requirement, it opens the door for many other players.

Oklahoma City Thunder star and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would seem like the obvious choice since his team owns the best record in the league. However, no player has been more important to their team, especially on offense, than Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown .

With Jayson Tatum out for much of the season has been asked to be the A-side and has had a career year. While he remains his usual versatile self, his points are way up when the Celtics most needed it, and it is why they shockingly have the second-best record in the East despite some big roster losses in the offseason.

Most Surprising Team: San Antonio Spurs

Several teams could earn the award of the NBA's most surprising team this season, including the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons . However, for the first half, it must go to the San Antonio Spurs . Most expected them to be improved with Victor Wembanyama back healthy. However, they have taken a big leap ahead with a pretty young core.

While De'Aaron Fox has added the scoring they lacked for much of last season, reigning ROTY Stephon Castle has improved, rookie Dylan Harper has been an impact player already, and Wemby is among the 10 best players in the league. The fact that they have second best record in a stacked Western Conference is the best proof.

Most Disappointing Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

This is a category many NBA teams would hope to avoid, especially if they had big expectations this season. Although both the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers have a case to be considered the most disappointing team so far this season, we give the honor to the Cleveland Cavaliers .

Last year, the Cavs had the second-best record in the NBA. Even better than the defending champion Celtics. That was expected again this season with injuries to big stars weakening the conference. Yet, right now, Cleveland is a team fighting to avoid the play-in tourney despite being fairly healthy all year. No team has been more disappointing in 2025-26 than the Cavs.

NBA Rookie of the First Half: Cooper Flagg , Dallas Mavericks

Despite impressive play from his Duke teammate Kon Knueppel , as well as New Orleans Pelicans debutant Derik Queen , there is no doubt Dallas Mavericks youngster Cooper Flagg has been the NBA's top rookie in the first half.

While he had some bumps in the road early because he had to carry more of the load than expected, he has started to come on strong over the last month and is showing why he was the most hyped high school and college player of the last few generations. He leads the Mavs in points (18.8) and steals (1.3), and is second in assists (4.1).

NBA Coach of the First Half: Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

There has been some very good coaching work this season, including from the head coaches of the Spurs and Raptors. However, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is proving why he is one of the absolute best in the NBA right now.

Boston is without their top star, and due to payroll slashing, lost three core members of the roster during the summer. However, despite the losses and not getting equal replacements, Mazzulla has led the Celtics to the second-best record in the conference. Now, there is speculation they could swing a big trade and make a run at a title when Tatum returns in the spring.

First Half NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama , San Antonio Spurs

There have been quite a few standout performances on defense this season. Yet, no player seems to strike more fear in opposing players than Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old is like a bizarre create-a-player. He is at least 7-foot-4, but has great footwork and basketball IQ. So he can guard multiple positions well, even guards.

He is so good that Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards admitted recently that he actually was unsure of himself for the first time in years when he saw the big man guard him up in the closing moments of a matchup last week.

NBA Breakthrough Player of the First Half: Deni Avdija , Portland Trail Blazers

One of the fun things about any NBA season is seeing certain players or teams take major leaps in their careers. This season has been no different, as Austin Reaves and Jalen Johnson have shown they are legitimate All-Stars. However, many NBA fans were familiar with both. Who really knew about Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija?

While he has made real progress over the last two seasons, he has taken a massive leap in year six. The former Washington Wizards lottery pick has upped his points per game by 10 to 26.2, and he also leads Portland in assists (6.9). All of a sudden, he has blown by Shaedon Sharpe to become the new face of the franchise.

NBA Sixth Man of the First Half: Anthony Black , Orlando Magic

Every team hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs needs impact play from its bench. It is why the Sixth Man of the Year Award has become so meaningful. Over the first half of the 2025-26 season, Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black has been the best reserve in the game.

The 2023 lottery pick got better in his sophomore season. However, year-three has been his best yet, posting over 15 points a game off the bench. Furthermore, he is an impact player on both sides of the floor and leads his team in steals (1.3).

Related Headlines

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: