Nicki Minaj is slated to perform at the first-ever NBA Awards Show on June 26 in Basketball City, in the Lower East Side of New York City, the NBA announced, via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

The rapper will add to the star power display, joining host Drake in the post-postseason festivities, who will help unveil the winners for the six major season awards and six new fan-inspired awards, for which they will be allowed to vote for.

The night's most-awaited award is this year's Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, boasting Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs as finalists for the honor.

The Sixth Man of the Year finalists are Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors, along with Lou Williams and Eric Gordon of the Rockets.

Article Continues Below
Related News
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the hoop past New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
NBA news: Knicks-Pacers Game 3 pulls ratings not seen since LeBron’s Cavs daysJulian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends a drive by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at Paycom Center.
10 NBA teams who could achieve the next three-peatSpencer See ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates after winning the Western Confrerence Championship against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
10 most unexpected teams to make the NBA FinalsSpencer See ·
Shaquille O'Neal looks on during halftime between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks during game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Inside the NBA warmup has fans going wildMiguel La Torre ·
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) practices before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Charles Barkley sends savage Anthony Edwards message amid ‘face of the NBA’ buzzBenedetto Vitale ·
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) reacts with forward Jalen Williams (8) in the second half during game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
L2M Report explains controversial Thunder-Timberwolves Game 4 endingTroy Finnegan ·

The Rookie of the Year Award will be a pick between Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks and center Joel Embiid, and forward Dario Saric of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, and Bucks hybrid forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will be up for the Most Improved Award, while Gobert, Leonard, and Warriors forward Draymond Green will duke it out for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Gregg Popovich of the Spurs, Mike D'Antoni of the Rockets, and Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat are the three candidates for the Coach of the Year Award.