NBA 6th Man of the Year (6MOTY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 8 ft. Moritz Wagner
The forefront of the 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year (6MOTY) race held firm over the last week, with the top three remaining unchanged. However, a few big men strengthened their cases as dark horses for the award. This includes one coming off a career-best performance in his team's two best players' absences.
On that note, here are the top five 6MOTY candidates after Week 8.
Top 5 2024-25 NBA 6th Man of the Year (6MOTY) candidates after Week 8
#5 Bobby Portis
After a slow start to the season, Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis has stepped up his play as an energizing bench scorer and rebounder.
Portis has scored 22-plus points in two of his last three outings and secured double-digit rebounds in two of his last four. Meanwhile, Milwaukee (14-11) has won three straight contests, advancing to Tuesday's Emirates NBA Cup final against the OKC Thunder.
The 2021 NBA champion has finished third in 6MOTY voting the last two seasons. Through 24 games, including 23 off the bench, Portis is delivering similar production, averaging 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 3-pointers per game, shooting 47.8%.
#4 Moritz Wagner
The Orlando Magic continue to embrace a next-man-up mentality with stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner both sidelined due to torn right obliques. Wagner's brother, Moritz Wagner, is the latest to step up his play to help Orlando (17-11) remain competitive.
During Sunday's 100-91 home loss to the New York Knicks, he tallied a career-high 32 points, six rebounds and four triples, with numerous crafty finishes inside. Wagner has scored in double figures in seven straight contests, serving as one of the league's most efficient bench scorers.
Across 28 appearances, including 27 off the pine, he is averaging 13.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 steals and 1.0 3pg, shooting 56.2%.
#3 Amen Thompson
Houston Rockets wing Amen Thompson remains the clear-cut best defender among this season's premier 6MOTY contenders. The sophomore has been a relentless, multi-positional defender for Houston's (17-9) No. 2-ranked defense (105.3 defensive rating).
Thompson has also increased his efficiency lately, scoring in double figures in four consecutive contests and shooting 60.0% or better in three straight. Through 26 appearances, including 24 off the bench, he is averaging 12.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 2.1 stocks a night, shooting 55.6%.
#2 De'Andre Hunter
While Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter's efficiency took a hit over the past seven days, he maintained his increased scoring volume. Hunter has totaled 15-plus points in nine consecutive outings, including seven 20-plus point efforts.
Hunter's three-level bench scoring has significantly boosted an upstart Atlanta squad (14-13) that made a surprise run to the NBA Cup semifinals. Across 16 games, including 14 off the pine, the sixth-year player is averaging 19.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 2.8 3pg, shooting 47.0% and 44.9% from downtown.
#1 Payton Pritchard
Despite facing increased competition, Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard maintains the top spot in the 6MOTY race. His consistent lights-out 3-point shooting and playmaking have made the defending champion Celtics' (21-5) offense even more potent.
Pritchard is second in the NBA in total triples (101), trailing only Minnesota Timberwolves rising superstar wing Anthony Edwards (108). Meanwhile, Boston ranks second in offensive rating (119.9).
In three games since going scoreless during the Celtics' 111-105 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 6, Pritchard has thrived. He is averaging 21.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.0 apg and 6.0 3pg, shooting 50.0% and 50.0% from deep.
That stretch has increased his season averages to 16.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.3 apg and 3.9 3pg, shooting 48.5% and 43.5% from outside (26 contests).
For last week's 6MOTY rankings, click here.