In the NBA, award winners and all-league performers receive trophies and plaques. Beginning in 2025-26, they’ll receive an additional kind of acknowledgment.
Before the page fully flips to the new season, players who received honors in 2024-25 will have patches featured on their jerseys during the season opener. The patches, which will only be worn for one game, are part of a new initiative in the new season.
Here is everything to know about the patches that will be featured prominently during Game 1 of the 2025-26 season.
MORE: Sporting News’ expert NBA picks for final standings, playoffs and NBA Finals
NBA award jersey patches, explained
In an effort to acknowledge the efforts of award-winners during the previous season, patches will be featured on the jerseys of 35 players during their respective season opener in 2025-26.
The group of players is headed by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose opening-night jersey features a patch of the Michael Jordan Trophy.
The award patches are featured above the Nike Swoosh on game jerseys.
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle are among the award-winners who will have jersey patches.
The other end-of-season awards that will be honored with patches are Clutch Player of the Year, Teammate of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, and the Sportsmanship Award winner. There are also patches to commemorate each member of the three All-NBA teams and two All-Defensive teams.
MORE: Ranking the top 30 NBA players for 2025-26
NBA award winners 2025
- MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
- Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
- Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle, Spurs
- Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard, Celtics
- Most Improved Player: Dyson Daniels, Hawks
- Clutch Player of the Year: Jalen Brunson, Knicks
- Teammate of the Year: Stephen Curry, Warriors
- Sportsmanship award: Jrue Holiday, Trail Blazers
MORE: Ranking NBA’s broadcast teams for 2025-26, from ESPN to NBC and Amazon Prime
All-NBA teams 2025
All-NBA First Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| G | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder |
| G | Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers |
| F | Jayson Tatum | Celtics |
| F | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks |
| F | Nikola Jokic | Nuggets |
All-NBA Second Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| G | Jalen Brunson | Knicks |
| G | Stephen Curry | Warriors |
| G | Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves |
| F | LeBron James | Lakers |
| F | Evan Mobley | Cavaliers |
All-NBA Third Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| G | Cade Cunningham | Pistons |
| G | Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers |
| G | James Harden | Clippers |
| F | Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks |
| F | Jalen Williams | Thunder |
NBA All-Defensive teams 2025
All-Defensive First Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| G | Dyson Daniels | Hawks |
| G | Luguentz Dort | Thunder |
| F | Draymond Green | Warriors |
| F | Evan Mobley | Cavaliers |
| G | Amen Thompson | Rockets |
All-Defensive Second Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| F | Toumani Camara | Trail Blazers |
| C | Rudy Gobert | Timberwolves |
| F | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies |
| F | Jalen Williams | Thunder |
| C | Ivica Zubac | Clippers |
