The 2025 NBA Finals have arrived, featuring a championship showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.
Following the Thunder`s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Pacers` defeat of the New York Knicks, 14 teams have concluded their playoff runs. This postseason has showcased numerous standout player performances over the past several weeks.
For the third time this postseason, we present our updated ranking of the top eight most impactful players through the conference finals, evaluating their performance as the championship series approaches, scheduled to tip off in Oklahoma City.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 29.8 PTS | 6.9 AST | 5.7 REB | 1.6 STL
Oklahoma City dominated the regular season as the league`s top team, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned regular-season MVP honors recently. His stellar play continues into the playoffs, placing him atop these rankings after he led OKC`s five-game series win against the Timberwolves with averages of 31.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander has hit the 30-point mark in 11 out of 16 playoff games, including every win during the Western Conference Finals. If the favored Thunder secure the NBA title, it`s highly anticipated that Gilgeous-Alexander will cap off his exceptional season by also claiming the Finals MVP award.
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 18.8 PTS | 9.8 AST | 5.7 REB | 1.4 STL
The upcoming Finals matchup features an exciting point guard battle between Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton, potentially the best since the memorable clashes between Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry in the Golden State vs. Cleveland Finals from 2015 to 2018.
For Indiana to stage an upset, Haliburton will need to replicate performances like his outstanding Game 4 against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, where he posted 32 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers in a decisive win that put Indiana up 3-1.
Turnovers will be a critical factor in this series. Oklahoma City`s defense, ranked best in the league, forces many opponent turnovers. Conversely, Haliburton is known as one of the NBA`s most secure ball-handlers, rarely turning the ball over.
3. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
2025 playoff stats (18 games): 29.4 PTS | 7.0 AST | 3.4 REB
Although Jalen Brunson`s defense was a weakness in the Knicks` loss to Indiana (and his Game 6 was subpar), his role in leading New York to their best season in 25 years is undeniable. This season`s NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson averaged 30.7 points on over 50% shooting against the Pacers. The fact that his overall excellent scoring was still considered a disappointment highlights the high level he has reached.
In just three seasons, Brunson has already established himself among the top five players in Knicks history. A strong case can be made that only three Hall of Famers—Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, and Walt Frazier—rank above him. This is remarkable company for a former second-round draft pick signed by New York as a free agent.
4. Pascal Siakam, Pacers
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 21.1 PTS | 5.8 REB | 3.3 AST | 46.3 3P%
Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam, who scored 30+ points in half of the games against the Knicks and averaged 24.8 for the series, has seamlessly integrated into Indiana since his arrival 18 months prior. He helped power the team to the conference finals last year and their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 this year.
The strong connection between Haliburton and Siakam has been crucial to the Pacers` emergence as a potent offensive force over the past two seasons, particularly in their playoff runs. Maintaining this level of production against the Thunder`s defense presents Indiana`s toughest test.
5. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2025 playoff stats (14 games): 26.2 PTS | 12.7 REB | 8.0 AST | 2.0 STL
You might be surprised to see Nikola Jokic ranked high despite Denver`s second-round exit. However, remember the Nuggets pushed the Thunder hard in Game 5 of the conference semifinals, holding an eight-point lead after three quarters and threatening to eliminate OKC for the second year in a row.
While they didn`t win, Jokic`s exceptional play forced the Thunder into a tough series, potentially the closest challenge they faced en route to the Finals. Combined with his consistently impressive statistics, Jokic remains highly ranked even after his team`s early exit.
6. Jalen Williams, Thunder
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 20.4 PTS | 5.8 REB | 5.3 AST | 1.6 STL
Jalen Williams faced difficulties in parts of the Thunder`s second-round series against Denver but bounced back with an excellent Western Conference Finals performance. He shot nearly 50% overall and 46.2% from three, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.0 steals.
A key question regarding OKC`s championship aspirations throughout the season was whether Williams could consistently be the reliable secondary scorer behind Gilgeous-Alexander. While he faced challenges at times this postseason, his stellar 34-point performance in Game 4 against Minnesota, arguably his best career game, demonstrated his growth into that crucial role, aligning perfectly with the Thunder`s championship timeline.
7. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
2025 playoff stats (15 games): 25.3 PTS | 7.8 REB | 5.5 AST
Oklahoma City`s defensive strategy in the Western Finals reflected a healthy respect for Anthony Edwards, often using multiple defenders to force him to pass and rely on teammates. This tactic limited Edwards, who scored under 20 points in three of the five games, a rare occurrence after doing so only once in the first two rounds combined.
Despite the series loss, Edwards` achievement in leading the Timberwolves to consecutive conference finals appearances, following decades with just one series win, is notable. The challenge ahead for both Edwards and the Wolves is how to elevate their game to overtake the Thunder, who appear poised to be a dominant force in the West for years.
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
2025 playoff stats (18 games): 21.4 PTS | 11.6 REB | 1.3 AST
Similar to Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns posted strong numbers in the Eastern Finals, averaging 24.8 points and 12.2 rebounds on 50% overall shooting and 36.7% from three. However, his defensive issues and frequent foul trouble, exploited by Indiana, contributed to New York`s elimination and prevented their first Finals appearance since 1999.
Despite the playoff exit, Towns` first season with the Knicks should be viewed as successful. He earned All-NBA and his fifth All-Star selection, contributing significantly to the team reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. However, improving his defense and strengthening the roster around him and Brunson will be necessary for the Knicks to advance further in future seasons.
