We have not yet reached the end of the road for the 2025 NBA Finals, but we are jumping the gun, because this is supposed to be fun: Let us determine the MVPs of this year’s playoffs before Game 7.
If you have been following along, or even if you have not (shame on you), we also chronicled the Playoff MVPs at every step of the way — around the end of the first round, second round and conference finals.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Following a 31-point performance in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander became the fourth player ever to score 30 or more points in at least 15 games of a single postseason, joining Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. He downplayed the accomplishment in the aftermath, suggesting that, if you put enough qualifiers around a statistic, you can bend it to make any argument.
Advertisement
“It’s just like the rest of the other [statistics],” he said. “It’s like a stat, but it’s narrowed into three different specific details. It’s cool, I guess. Focused on one thing, and that’s winning one more game.”
That “one more game” is now a do-or-die Game 7 on Sunday.
(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 30 points (on 47/30/87 shooting splits), 6.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 combined blocks and steals per game in the playoffs. What, then, is at stake for him in Game 7?
We could narrow our search on Stathead to find the only players ever to average a 30-5-6 en route to a title, and we would find Jordan (twice) and Nikola Jokić in the 2022-23 campaign. That is the whole list.
Advertisement
Based on SGA’s logic, though, there are too many qualifiers around that company. So let’s broaden our scope. How many players in NBA history have even averaged 30 points per game on a championship run?
Ten. That is it. And it is an extraordinary list: Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal (twice), Jordan (six times), Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and George Mikan (twice). This is the company Gilgeous-Alexander could keep, no additional qualifiers necessary.
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, Haliburton amassed 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds and zero turnovers in a 130-121 win, all but clinching Indiana’s first berth in the NBA Finals since 2000. He has not been able to replicate any of those numbers since, but it was the prime example of what Haliburton has done all playoffs, controlling games by prodding the defense, seeing the floor and protecting the ball.
Advertisement
And he was even better throughout the playoffs in the clutch, sinking a game-winner in each series, including a 22-footer with 0.3 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Nobody expected the Pacers to be on this stage, and yet Haliburton has proved both he and they belong among the NBA elite.
Whenever you are receiving favorable comparisons to Steve Nash, Chris Paul and Magic Johnson on a playoff run, it says good things about your ability to steer a team without your scoring. It is not that he cannot score in bunches; it is that he is more concerned with making everyone around him better. Which he has done, so much so that he has forced us to rethink what we figured possible for the Pacers’ future.
3. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Scottie Pippen may not have been the best No. 2 option ever, but he is the first one who springs to mind. He is the quintessential complement to a superstar. In fact, any time a team develops its No. 1 option, we ask: But who is his Pippen? When you become somebody’s Pippen, you have made it as a second option.
Advertisement
Well, consider what Pippen averaged across his six championship runs, alongside Jordan, on the 1990s Chicago Bulls: 19.2 points (44/29/73), 7.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3 combined blocks and steals a game.
Now consider what Williams has averaged in these playoffs: 21.5 points (46/31/80), 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 combined blocks and steals.
The only second options to average a 20-5-5 on a title run: Bob Cousy, Hal Greer, John Havlicek, Walt Frazier, Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Bryant, Stephen Curry (as Kevin Durant’s co-star in 2017 and 2018), Khris Middleton and Jamal Murray. Essentially the best No. 2s ever.
Advertisement
And Williams is just 24 years old, a year younger than Pippen was when he first won a championship.
It is far too early to anoint Williams as the next Pippen, for he is still six rings behind, but if the Thunder can complete their quest for one championship, we should at the very least accept him as SGA’s Pippen.
4. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
I don’t know where in the player rankings we had Siakam before the playoffs began, but it wasn’t as the second-best player on a championship-caliber team, which is weird, since he was the second-best player on the 2019 champion Toronto Raptors. If we had not already, we now have to accept that you can win a title with a borderline All-NBA player (Siakam received four third-team votes) as your second-best player.
Advertisement
The Boston Celtics did the same last season, leveraging Jaylen Brown as a No. 2 option, and surrounding their stars with a well-paid and talented supporting cast, rather than the multiple-superstar model that became en vogue earlier last decade, when James joined Dwyane Wade and Durant teamed with Curry.
If you help change the way an entire league fundamentally thinks about team-building, as Siakam has, you probably earned your spot on this list, and there is no doubt that Siakam deserves his spot here.
5. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
When last we convened, we had Jokić ranked fifth among Playoff MVPs. He has not played again, and nothing has changed. How does that square? Well, in retrospect, Jokić’s Denver Nuggets did to the Thunder exactly what the Pacers have, pushing them to a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals.
Advertisement
Considering how shallow the Nuggets were in comparison to the Thunder, and how hobbled Denver was, as Michael Porter Jr. played with one arm and Aaron Gordon played on one leg, the fact that Jokić willed his team to three wins against OKC is nothing short of remarkable. Had he won four against the Thunder and gone on to do what they have done, we would be welcoming Jokić into the pantheon of NBA all-timers.
As it is, even after Gilgeous-Alexander’s regular-season MVP campaign and run to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, we still universally accept Jokić as The Best Player Alive because of his effort against the Thunder.
6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
7. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
8. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
9. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Honorable mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic; Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics; Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons; Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers; Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets; Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder; Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers; T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers; Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers; Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets; Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets; Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves; Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Recorde de Rafael Nadal em Roland Garros está entre os 5 mais difíceis de quebrar em todos esportes
Rafael Nadal comemora vitória em Roland Garros. (Foto: Julian Finney/Getty Images) Aproveitamento absurdo do espanhol em Roland Garros se destaca entre os recordes impossíveis de quebrar na história de todos os esportes Um dos maiores esportistas da história, Rafael Nadal ganhou destaque no jornal espanhol “Marca” nesta sexta-feira (20). O ex-tenista entrou na lista do portal de cinco recordes mais difíceis de quebrar em todos os esportes. Em Roland Garros, o espanhol dominou o saibro com 14 títulos e um aproveitamento absurdo, muito complicado de alguém superar um dia. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O grande recorde de Rafael Nadal em Roland Garros O Grand Slam de Roland Garros é a “Copa do Mundo” do tênis, é como se fosse a picanha no churrasco. Porém, Rafael Nadal dominou esse torneio como poucos na história, conquistando 14 títulos, o que ainda nem é seu […]
From Babe to Betts, The Wild Trades that Define the Red Sox After Devers Deal
<!--> What is it about the Boston Red Sox and their penchant for blockbuster trades that often feel - bigger? It could be across the team’s 125-year history, their deals have had huge impacts. The infamous deal that sent Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1920 and sparked an 86-year drought. Or more recently, when the team tempted fate again when trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2018. Now, Rafael Devers joins that list of superstar players after Boston traded him to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Devers was only in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million extension and is arguably one of the top 10 hitters in baseball. The 28-year-old will likely be named an All-Star for the fourth time in his career in the coming weeks.A decision that didn’t exactly warm Red Sox fans about the […]
Pacers force Game 7, Thunder under pressure, Lakers get sold and Giannis likely staying with Bucks
On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Gary Washburn react to the Indiana Pacers defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder and forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.Next, Vince and Gary discuss which team has the edge in Game 7 before explaining what the Lakers being sold to Mark Walter’s means for LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Magic Johnson.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLater, Vince and Gary react to Ime Udoka signing an extension with the Houston Rockets and how the Milwaukee Bucks can build a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo.(1:56) Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 reaction(10:13) Notable Game 7’s in the NBA Finals(15:32) Pacers playing with immense confidence(18:53) T.J. McConnell’s impact(21:49) Pressure on SGA & Thunder franchise(26:43) This Game 7 is very unique for Thunder and Pacers(36:55) Lakers sold for $10 Billion(46:30) Ime Udoka gets extension as Kevin Durant rumors swirl(51:54) If […]
Mesmo classificando a Ferroviária no Brasileirão Feminino, Jéssica de Lima é demitida da Ferroviária após mais de dois anos no comando da equipe
Após mais de dois anos, Jéssica de Lima deixa a Ferroviária (Reprodução/Nayra Halm/Staff Images Woman/CBF) Treinadora deixa às Guerreiras Grenás tinha o trabalho mais longínquo do futebol feminino brasileiro e estava preto de completar 100 jogos pela equipe Nesta sexta-feira (20), a Ferroviária anunciou nesta sexta-feira (20), a saída da treinadora Jéssica de Lima. Na equipe desde setembro de 2022, a técnica estava prestes a completar 100 jogos no clube, além de ter o trabalho mais longo no futebol feminino brasileiro. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Em nota, a Ferroviária informou que a decisão foi tomada em comum acordo com a treinadora. Além disso, junto dela também deixa a equipe o seu auxiliar, Marlon Major. Porém, o clube agradeceu os trabalhos prestados pela treinadora. “As Guerreiras Grenás informam que, em comum acordo, a treinadora Jéssica de Lima não segue mais à frente do […]
Lucas Lima cobra elenco do Sport e pede reação contra rebaixamento: “Entrar para a história”
Meia aborda situação do Sport no Brasileiirão (Foto: Paulo Paiva / Sport Recife) Leão tem o pior começo da história de um time no Brasileirão da chamada ‘era dos pontos corridos’ e quer reagir após pausa A paralisação do Brasileirão Série A para a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa não poderia ter vindo em melhor hora para o Sport. Lanterna absoluto da competição, o time ganhará o descanso necessário para poder vir no retorno dos jogos com uma única missão: escapar da última posição e da zona de rebaixamento. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Pode entrar para a história E, caso o Rubro-Negro consiga tal feito, será algo para entrar na história do clube pernambucano e da competição. É a visão do meia Lucas Lima, que pede que o time siga o caminho necessário para poder conseguir na volta […]
Angels manager Ron Washington out indefinitely because of health concerns
<!--> Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington will be out indefinitely because of health issues, and bench coach Ray Montgomery will manage Friday night’s series opener against the Houston Astros.Washington, 73, experienced shortness of breath and appeared fatigued toward the end of a four-game series against the Yankees. He was cleared by Yankees doctors to fly home with the team Thursday night and underwent a series of medical tests on Friday.General manager Perry Minasian announced Washington's status before the game.The Angels did not specify what symptoms Washington is experiencing, but said the manager was able to address the team in the clubhouse along with Minasian on Friday, and he was planning to watch the game from the GM's Angel Stadium suite. Washington was not made available to the media."Wash has not felt great the last couple of days," Minasian said. […]
Related
Recorde de Rafael Nadal em Roland Garros está entre os 5 mais difíceis de quebrar em todos esportes
Rafael Nadal comemora vitória em Roland Garros. (Foto: Julian Finney/Getty Images) Aproveitamento absurdo do espanhol em Roland Garros se destaca entre os recordes impossíveis de quebrar na história de todos os esportes Um dos maiores esportistas da história, Rafael Nadal ganhou destaque no jornal espanhol “Marca” nesta sexta-feira (20). O ex-tenista entrou na lista do portal de cinco recordes mais difíceis de quebrar em todos os esportes. Em Roland Garros, o espanhol dominou o saibro com 14 títulos e um aproveitamento absurdo, muito complicado de alguém superar um dia. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O grande recorde de Rafael Nadal em Roland Garros O Grand Slam de Roland Garros é a “Copa do Mundo” do tênis, é como se fosse a picanha no churrasco. Porém, Rafael Nadal dominou esse torneio como poucos na história, conquistando 14 títulos, o que ainda nem é seu […]
From Babe to Betts, The Wild Trades that Define the Red Sox After Devers Deal
<!--> What is it about the Boston Red Sox and their penchant for blockbuster trades that often feel - bigger? It could be across the team’s 125-year history, their deals have had huge impacts. The infamous deal that sent Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1920 and sparked an 86-year drought. Or more recently, when the team tempted fate again when trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2018. Now, Rafael Devers joins that list of superstar players after Boston traded him to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Devers was only in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million extension and is arguably one of the top 10 hitters in baseball. The 28-year-old will likely be named an All-Star for the fourth time in his career in the coming weeks.A decision that didn’t exactly warm Red Sox fans about the […]
Pacers force Game 7, Thunder under pressure, Lakers get sold and Giannis likely staying with Bucks
On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Gary Washburn react to the Indiana Pacers defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder and forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.Next, Vince and Gary discuss which team has the edge in Game 7 before explaining what the Lakers being sold to Mark Walter’s means for LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Magic Johnson.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLater, Vince and Gary react to Ime Udoka signing an extension with the Houston Rockets and how the Milwaukee Bucks can build a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo.(1:56) Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 reaction(10:13) Notable Game 7’s in the NBA Finals(15:32) Pacers playing with immense confidence(18:53) T.J. McConnell’s impact(21:49) Pressure on SGA & Thunder franchise(26:43) This Game 7 is very unique for Thunder and Pacers(36:55) Lakers sold for $10 Billion(46:30) Ime Udoka gets extension as Kevin Durant rumors swirl(51:54) If […]
Mesmo classificando a Ferroviária no Brasileirão Feminino, Jéssica de Lima é demitida da Ferroviária após mais de dois anos no comando da equipe
Após mais de dois anos, Jéssica de Lima deixa a Ferroviária (Reprodução/Nayra Halm/Staff Images Woman/CBF) Treinadora deixa às Guerreiras Grenás tinha o trabalho mais longínquo do futebol feminino brasileiro e estava preto de completar 100 jogos pela equipe Nesta sexta-feira (20), a Ferroviária anunciou nesta sexta-feira (20), a saída da treinadora Jéssica de Lima. Na equipe desde setembro de 2022, a técnica estava prestes a completar 100 jogos no clube, além de ter o trabalho mais longo no futebol feminino brasileiro. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Em nota, a Ferroviária informou que a decisão foi tomada em comum acordo com a treinadora. Além disso, junto dela também deixa a equipe o seu auxiliar, Marlon Major. Porém, o clube agradeceu os trabalhos prestados pela treinadora. “As Guerreiras Grenás informam que, em comum acordo, a treinadora Jéssica de Lima não segue mais à frente do […]
Lucas Lima cobra elenco do Sport e pede reação contra rebaixamento: “Entrar para a história”
Meia aborda situação do Sport no Brasileiirão (Foto: Paulo Paiva / Sport Recife) Leão tem o pior começo da história de um time no Brasileirão da chamada ‘era dos pontos corridos’ e quer reagir após pausa A paralisação do Brasileirão Série A para a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa não poderia ter vindo em melhor hora para o Sport. Lanterna absoluto da competição, o time ganhará o descanso necessário para poder vir no retorno dos jogos com uma única missão: escapar da última posição e da zona de rebaixamento. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Pode entrar para a história E, caso o Rubro-Negro consiga tal feito, será algo para entrar na história do clube pernambucano e da competição. É a visão do meia Lucas Lima, que pede que o time siga o caminho necessário para poder conseguir na volta […]
Angels manager Ron Washington out indefinitely because of health concerns
<!--> Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington will be out indefinitely because of health issues, and bench coach Ray Montgomery will manage Friday night’s series opener against the Houston Astros.Washington, 73, experienced shortness of breath and appeared fatigued toward the end of a four-game series against the Yankees. He was cleared by Yankees doctors to fly home with the team Thursday night and underwent a series of medical tests on Friday.General manager Perry Minasian announced Washington's status before the game.The Angels did not specify what symptoms Washington is experiencing, but said the manager was able to address the team in the clubhouse along with Minasian on Friday, and he was planning to watch the game from the GM's Angel Stadium suite. Washington was not made available to the media."Wash has not felt great the last couple of days," Minasian said. […]
Be the first to leave a comment