A month after first ranking candidates for playoff MVP and just two weeks since the last update, nearly three rounds of the postseason have passed, marked by clutch shots, exciting comebacks, and unpredictability.
I attempted once more to perfectly place the playoff MVP without discussing it, but you wanted to read the analysis.
Enjoy this playoff MVP preview as a warm-up to Saturday’s highlight game where the Indiana Pacers will face the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Two of the top three MVP contenders will battle for the chance to meet the current MVP frontrunners already in the NBA Finals.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
We often discuss players’ ability to reach their optimal performance floor, and few do it as well as this year’s MVP candidate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored over 25 points in 13 out of 16 playoff games and topped 30 points in 11 of those games. His leadership helped OKC secure series wins over the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, the Thunder need four wins against either the Pacers or Knicks, currently outscoring opponents by 11.2 points per 100 possessions this postseason. Gilgeous-Alexander is building a legendary level of consistent excellence, drawing comparisons to Stephen Curry as a player likely to clinch both MVP and championship in the same season. If the Thunder win the title, he could be the first Finals MVP since LeBron James in 2013, cementing his status among the sport’s elite.
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Few foresaw Haliburton’s breakout playoff performance outside of devoted Pacers fans. Initially seen as a top-20 NBA player, he has proven to be a critical factor in the Eastern Conference’s toughest contests. After sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, Haliburton froze the New York Knicks with clutch shots and multiple comebacks. His exceptional 32-12-15 triple-double with no turnovers against the Knicks marks him as one of the postseason’s two most impactful players.
3. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
If the series outcome were different, Brunson might be ranked above Haliburton. The NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year is dominating scoring in the fourth quarter with 144 points across these playoffs, averaging nine points per game in decisive moments — well ahead of the next player. Like Gilgeous-Alexander, Brunson finds ways to score from tough, contested spots, impressing as a 6’2” former second-round pick with a dynamic offensive arsenal.
4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards faced a tough Western Conference Finals against Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder, battling relentless defensive pressure. Despite frequent double teams, he averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in the playoffs at just 23 years old — joining the elite company of LeBron James and Luka Dončić with those stats at that age. Edwards defeated notable stars including LeBron, Doncic, and Stephen Curry earlier in the playoffs, announcing himself as a formidable star. His ongoing growth promises a bright future among basketball’s greats.
5. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Though Jokić hasn’t played a full round, he paved the way for the Nuggets to challenge the Thunder strongly in the Western Conference semifinals, pushing the series to seven games with incredible performances averaging 28 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. His all-around impact remains unmatched by most players not named Brunson, Gilgeous-Alexander, or Edwards.
6. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
7. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
9. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Honorable mentions include Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Julius Randle (Minnesota Timberwolves).
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Fan Take: This ranking highlights the emergence of a new generation of playoff stars who are redefining excellence on basketball’s biggest stage. It’s a thrilling indication that the NBA’s future stars are not only capable of spectacular performances but are also ushering in an era of competitive balance and excitement for fans worldwide.
