The NBA playoffs provide a grand stage for the league`s top talent to shine. This season, the spotlight is particularly bright on the leading MVP contenders, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, whose teams faced off in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.
While these two stars and their teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, compete for the ultimate prize, the Larry O`Brien Trophy, the MVP award is a recognition of regular-season excellence. Both players delivered remarkable seasons, each in their distinct style.
Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in leading the Thunder to an impressive 68 wins and the top seed in the West. He finished the regular season as the league`s leading scorer, averaging 32.7 points per game. He also contributed 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists nightly, shooting 51.9% from the field. Oklahoma City`s finish, 16 games ahead of the second seed, marked one of the most dominant regular-season performances in recent history.
In contrast, Jokic had arguably his best statistical season, guiding the Nuggets to the 4th seed in the West. He averaged a rare triple-double for the season, with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Should he win, it would be his fourth MVP award in five seasons, placing him among a select group of five players in NBA history to achieve this feat.
Rounding out the list of MVP finalists is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists during the season.
NBA reporter Tim Bontemps` final MVP straw poll and awards ballot indicated a very close race, with Gilgeous-Alexander holding a slight advantage at the conclusion of the regular season.
2025 NBA MVP Finalists
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Point guard | Oklahoma City Thunder
76 games | 32.7 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 6.4 APG
Nikola Jokic | Center | Denver Nuggets
70 games | 29.6 PPG | 12.7 RPG | 10.2 APG
Giannis Antetokounmpo | Forward | Milwaukee Bucks
67 games | 30.4 PPG | 11.9 RPG | 6.5 APG
Tim Bontemps` MVP Picks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Almost every year features multiple players worthy of the MVP award. This season`s race between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, widely considered the league`s two top players, was exceptionally tight, coming down to the final day of the regular season. Both had unbelievable campaigns.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to become just the seventh team in NBA history to win at least 68 games, fueled by his league-leading 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting. Jokic, on the other hand, delivered a statistically historic season, ranking in the top three for points (29.6), rebounds (12.7), and assists (10.2), while shooting an efficient 57.6% overall and 41.7% from three-point range. His performance was truly remarkable.
Discussing the back-and-forth nature of the MVP debate between these two over the final weeks, a quote from former Nuggets coach Michael Malone is notable. Malone commented, “If you didn`t know Nikola had won three MVPs, and I put Player A and Player B on paper … he wins 10 times out of 10. And if you don`t think so, you guys are full of s—.”
NBA MVP Straw Poll 3.0 Insights
Back in February, ESPN`s second MVP straw poll indicated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held a significant, though not insurmountable, lead over Nikola Jokic. Six weeks later, the situation remained largely unchanged.
Based on the results of our final straw poll, which has accurately predicted the official winner for the past five seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander is poised to win his first MVP award. In this poll, designed to reflect the official voting body and conducted over a 24-hour period, Gilgeous-Alexander secured 77 out of 100 first-place votes, accumulating 931 points. Jokic finished second with 769 points. Notably, these two players received every single first and second-place vote in this poll, a first in the 19 straw polls conducted since the 2016-17 season, highlighting their dominance at the top of the league.
This sweeping result at the top of the ballot reflects the exceptional performances both players delivered throughout the season.
While Gilgeous-Alexander held the poll lead, Jokic`s statistically outstanding season presented a compelling case for the award.
