2025 NBA MVP finalists: Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic and Giannis

The NBA playoffs set up the largest stage for the stars of the league to feel them. Nowhere is this season clearer than with the two best MVP candidates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, who started in the second round of the Western Conference.

The couple fought in the MVP race all the season, so it would only make sense that their teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, would have to join each other, while they were pursuing the ultimate goal of the NBA, the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Despite the fanfare around the Matchup, the MVP is a regular season price, and both players recorded unforgettable seasons in their own, unique way.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the 68-earnings donner to the top seeds of the West and scored an average of 32.7 points per game at 51.9% and added 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Oklahoma City ended 16 games in the regular memory in the regular memory in the regular reminder in the regular season.

In the meantime, Jokic probably put together his best statistical season and led the Nuggets to No. 4 seeds in the west. This season he had an average triple double and ended the regular season with an average of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists. If he won the award, it would be his fourth MVP in five seasons and he would be one of only five players in NBA history to claim MVP ceremonies four times.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo rounds off the MVP finalists after an average of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists this season.

The final MVP straw survey by NBA, Tim Bontemps, shows that Gilgeous-Alexander had an easy lead at the end of the regular season.

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2025 NBA MVP finalists

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Point Guard | Oklahoma City Thunder

76 games | 32. 7 PPG | 5 RPG | 6.4 APG

Nikola Jokic | Middle | 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

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MVP picks from Tim Bontemps

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

3 .. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

5. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

There are several deserved MVP candidates almost every season. And this year's race went between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, the two best players in the league until the last day, both of whom have put together incredible seasons.

The thunder, which was 32.7 points per game behind Gilgeous-Alexander, was 32.7 points per game, while taking 51.9% off the field, became a seventh team in NBA history to win at least 68 games. Jokic naturally had a historical statistical season and ended in points (29.6), rebounds (12.7) and assists (10.2), while he shot a total of 57.6% and 41.7% from the 3-point range. Really video toys.

During this quote from Nuggets coach Michael Malone between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic in recent weeks. “If you didn't know that Nikola won three MVPs and I got players A and Player B on paper … he wins ten times from 10,” said Malone last month.

“And if you don't think you are full of S —“

Read more about the Tim Bontemps picks for the top individual prices of the NBA.

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NBA MVP straw survey 3.0

In mid-February, the second of the three most valuable straw issues from ESPNS showed three NBA straw issues in Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a comfortable-wenn not iron clad lead over the Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic.

Six weeks later, the race is practically unchanged.

If the results of our final straw survey are correct for each of the last five seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander will claim its first MVP price. And in a survey that reflects the official coordination of the league and was carried out over a period of 24 hours on Sunday and Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander from 100 votes.

He finished second in the remaining 23 ballot papers for 931 total points, while Jokic ended with 769. After the two stars received all the votes of the first and second places in the second round of the survey in February, this issue was a clean sweep etwas that had not happened in the 19 earlier straw issues that had been carried out since the beginning of the 2016-17 season.

This dominance on the ballot is hand in hand with what both players have shown on the pitch.

Despite the leadership of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic may present his best MVP case.

Read more from Tim Bontemps in the NBA MVP straw survey 3.0.