Checking the top 2s in MVP votes that were faced in the NBA in the Nach season

The semi-finals of the Western Conference between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder is a matchup between the probably 2025 NBA MVP and the second place: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.

Gilgeous-Alexander achieved an average of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds in the regular season and supported the Oklahoma City run on a record of 68 to 14.

Jokic, a three-time MVP winner, statistically had one of his best seasons. His 29.6 points and 10.2 templates per game were both career highs. He also achieved an average of 12.7 rebounds, most of his career.

It has been the eighth since 1990 that the Top Two met in MVP votes in a playoff series. Five of these events were in the NBA final – and four of them were Michael Jordan. The team with the MVP winner won five times.

Here is a review of every NBA playoff series since 1990, which contained the Top Two in the MVP vote.

MVP: Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Second: Harden, Houston Rockets

Serial results: Rackets win 4-1

The last Thunder player who won the MVP Award in front of Gilgeous-Alexander achieved a triple double in the regular season on the way to the price. Harden also had an outstanding year with 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game.

The former teammates teamed up in the first round in this post -season, with the No. 3 Seed Rockets won in five games.

In addition to 11.6 rebounds and 10.8 assists, Westbrook scored an average of 37.4 points. Harden scored an average of 33.2 points per game and marked the second time that a second -placed MVP has defeated the MVP in a series since 1990.

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MVP: Curry, Golden State Warriors

Second: Hard, rockets

Serial results: Warrior win 4-1

Curry has not only won MVP, but also for a place in the 2015 NBA final, when the two best seeds of the Western Conference were confronted.

When Curry scored the first MVP of his career, he achieved an average of 23.8 points and 7.7 templates in the regular season, including 286 3-point pointer. Harden enjoyed a breakout campaign with a career of 27.4 points per game at the time.

The 67-win Warriors opened a 3-0 lead against the Rockets and finally won in five. Curry and Harden each had a 40-point game 40 for Curry in game 3 and 45 for harden in game 4.

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MVP: James, Miami Heat

Second: Durant, thunder

Serial results: Win heat 4-1

The third MVP in four seasons for James came into trademark when he achieved an average of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Durant held 28.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, but only received 24 votes in the first place compared to James '85.

In the NBA final in 2012, the two came against each other in a narrow series. After a Thunder victory in game 1, Durant and James each scored 32 points in game 2, which won the heat. In the series, Durant scored a few more than 30 points, while James achieved an average of 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists.

So far, this is the last time that an MVP winner and second place is exposed to the final.

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Michael Jordan against Karl Malone, 1998

MVP: Jordan, Chicago Bulls

Second: Malone, utah jazz

Serial results: Bulls win 4-2

Jordan's fifth MVP campaign was probably one of the best -known series in NBA history and drove him to his sixth championship. In the regular season, he scored an average of 28.7 points per game, his lowest campaign since his beginner. Malone scored an average of 27.0 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Jordan conveniently won the MVP and received a total of 1,084 votes compared to Malones 842. Malone, however, stayed with 25.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

In the clinching game 6, Jordan dropped 45 points and hit the starting basket to end Chicago's second three-goal of the decade.

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Karl Malone against Michael Jordan, 1997

MVP: Malone, jazz

Second: Jordan, bulls

Serial results: Bulls win 4-2

Malone won his first MVP price in one of the closest races in the history of the league. The jazz star had 63 votes in the first place and 986 total points compared to 52 and 957 for Jordan.

Although Malone won the MVP, Jordan got the most important trophy this season – the Larry O'Brien. He achieved an average of 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the final, while Malone achieved 23.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

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Michael Jordan against Clyde Drexler, 1992

MVP: Jordan, bulls

Second: Drexler, Portland Trail Blazer

Serial results: Bulls win 4-2

Jordan and Drexler were often compared to the 1992 final, and the MVP race only added to these discussions. Jordan took care of that and received 900 votes, while Drexler had 561. The final brought a similar result.

In game 1 of the final, Jordan broke out for an output of 35 points in the first half, which included the legendary “shrug” after he had connected with his sixth 3-point in the second quarter. Jordan dominated the Trail Blazer with an average of 35.8 points, 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Drexler scored an average of 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

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Michael Jordan against Magic Johnson, 1991

MVP: Jordan, bulls

Second: Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

Serial results: Bulls win 4-1

The second of Jordans Five MVP Awards was the first to combine with a championship. His strong regular season comprised 31.5 points per game, and he received 891 of a maximum of 960 votes. The Lakers star Johnson achieved an average of 19.4 points and 12.5 templates.

Jordan stood on the brightest stage of one of the biggest names of the NBA and increased his play to win a title. He scored an average of 31.2 points and 11.4 assists per game when the Bulls won the series in five.