New Orleans' Jordan Wins NBA's Teammate of the Year Award

The NBA just handed out one of its most meaningful individual honors, and it went to a guy who's defined what it means to be a great locker room presence. New Orleans' veteran center Jordan has been named the 2026 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year, an award that recognizes the player deemed the best teammate on and off the court.

This honor means something different than your typical stat-driven award. The Twyman-Stokes award celebrates the intangibles, the stuff that doesn't show up in box scores but absolutely shows up in a team's chemistry and culture. Jordan earned it by being exactly that kind of player for the Pelicans.

What the Award Actually Means

Look, we see plenty of individual accolades handed out every season. But teammate of the year? That's about how you carry yourself in the locker room, how you lift up the guys around you, how you lead by example when the cameras aren't on. Jordan's been doing that at an elite level for New Orleans this season.

The fact that a veteran center won this tells you something about the Pelicans' culture right now. They've clearly got a guy in Jordan who's invested in making everyone around him better, not just putting up numbers for himself.

The Full Awards Picture

Jordan's award came as part of the 2025-26 NBA Awards rollout. Cooper Flagg picked up Rookie of the Year honors, while NAW took home the Kia Most Improved Player award. But Jordan's recognition stands out as one that speaks to character and leadership.

The Pelicans have something special if they've got a guy like Jordan setting that tone for the whole roster. That's the kind of foundation that winning teams build on.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.