NBA Sixth Man of The Year award: top 5 candidates to win the trophy

The race for this season's Sixth Man of the Year award is at its climax. Only seven weeks left in this campaign and the candidates are proving their worth on both ends of the floor. Each of the following players are crucial for their teams' success, bringing energy and explosiveness from the bench.

In fifth place, we have Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks. Often overshadowed by stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Hardaway Jr. makes the most of his opportunities, especially when one of Dallas' two superstars is absent. His ability to score key points has been vital for the Mavericks, and his contribution could be even more important as the team fights to secure its playoff spot.

In the fourth spot, Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves stands out. Despite being a center on a team loaded with talent at the guard position, Reid has proven to be a dominant force both in the paint and on the perimeter. His ability to score from beyond the arc sets him apart from other players at his position, and his presence in the Timberwolves' rotation has been instrumental to the team's success thus far.

In third place, we find Caris LeVert of the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeVert has been a key piece in the Cavaliers' scheme, helping to lead the team's second unit with his ability to score and create opportunities for his teammates. He can keep up the pace of play even in the absence of key players, therefore has been a crucial factor in the Cavaliers' rise in the Eastern Conference.

In second place, Norman Powell of the Los Angeles Clippers makes his appearance. As part of a deeply talented rotation, Powell has stood out for his ability to score points at key moments in the game. His role as a scoring leader off the bench has been critical to the Clippers' success this season, and his importance could increase even further if other key players are affected by injuries.

Finally, at the top of the list, we find Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings. With a stellar performance that has made him the undisputed favorite for the Best Sixth Man award, Monk has been an unstoppable force off the bench for the Kings. His ability to score points in bursts and his accuracy from beyond the arc have made him a constant threat to opposing defenses, and his impact on the game has been instrumental to the Kings' success this season.