The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is one of the most prestigious honors in basketball, recognizing the standout performer of the league’s championship series. First introduced in 1969, it has become a symbol of excellence under pressure, awarded to the player who makes the greatest impact when the stakes are highest.

Here you will find all the winners of the award, alongside the legends who defined NBA history with their Finals performances. See also the MVP of the regular season.

Most Awards

Michael Jordan: 6 MVPs

Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998)

Recent Dynasty

LeBron James: 4 MVPs

Heat & Cavaliers & Lakers (2012-2020)

Latest Winner

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder, Point Guard / Guard / Forward

The award has been dominated by some of the biggest names in the sport. Michael Jordan, often considered the greatest basketball player of all time, holds the record with six Finals MVPs, earned during the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty of the 1990s. Following him is LeBron James, with four Finals MVPs across three different franchises, reflecting both his consistency and versatility.

Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers have produced the most Finals MVPs, showcasing their long history of championship success and their ability to attract generational talent.

Complete List of NBA Finals MVP Winners (1969-2025)
Year Winner Position Team
2025 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Point Guard / Guard / Forward Oklahoma City Thunder
2024 Jaylen Brown Guard Boston Celtics
2023 Nikola Jokić Center Denver Nuggets
2022 Stephen Curry Guard Golden State Warriors
2021 Giannis Antetokounmpo Forward Milwaukee Bucks
2020 LeBron James Forward Los Angeles Lakers
2019 Kawhi Leonard Forward Toronto Raptors
2018 Kevin Durant Forward Golden State Warriors
2017 Kevin Durant Forward Golden State Warriors
2016 LeBron James Forward Cleveland Cavaliers
2015 Andre Iguodala Forward/Guard Golden State Warriors
2014 Kawhi Leonard Forward San Antonio Spurs
2013 LeBron James Forward Miami Heat
2012 LeBron James Forward Miami Heat
2011 Dirk Nowitzki Forward Dallas Mavericks
2010 Kobe Bryant Guard Los Angeles Lakers
2009 Kobe Bryant Guard Los Angeles Lakers
2008 Paul Pierce Forward Boston Celtics
2007 Tony Parker Guard San Antonio Spurs
2006 Dwyane Wade Guard Miami Heat
2005 Tim Duncan Forward/Center San Antonio Spurs
2004 Chauncey Billups Guard Detroit Pistons
2003 Tim Duncan Forward/Center San Antonio Spurs
2002 Shaquille O'Neal Center Los Angeles Lakers
2001 Shaquille O'Neal Center Los Angeles Lakers
2000 Shaquille O'Neal Center Los Angeles Lakers
1999 Tim Duncan Forward/Center San Antonio Spurs
1998 Michael Jordan Guard Chicago Bulls
1997 Michael Jordan Guard Chicago Bulls
1996 Michael Jordan Guard Chicago Bulls
1995 Hakeem Olajuwon Center Houston Rockets
1994 Hakeem Olajuwon Center Houston Rockets
1993 Michael Jordan Guard Chicago Bulls
1992 Michael Jordan Guard Chicago Bulls
1991 Michael Jordan Guard Chicago Bulls
1990 Isiah Thomas Guard Detroit Pistons
1989 Joe Dumars Guard Detroit Pistons
1988 James Worthy Forward Los Angeles Lakers
1987 Magic Johnson Guard Los Angeles Lakers
1986 Larry Bird Forward Boston Celtics
1985 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Los Angeles Lakers
1984 Larry Bird Forward Boston Celtics
1983 Moses Malone Center Philadelphia 76ers
1982 Magic Johnson Guard Los Angeles Lakers
1981 Cedric Maxwell Forward Boston Celtics
1980 Magic Johnson Guard Los Angeles Lakers
1979 Dennis Johnson Guard Seattle SuperSonics
1978 Wes Unseld Center/Forward Washington Bullets
1977 Bill Walton Center Portland Trail Blazers
1976 Jo Jo White Guard Boston Celtics
1975 Rick Barry Forward Golden State Warriors
1974 John Havlicek Forward/Guard Boston Celtics
1973 Willis Reed Center/Forward New York Knicks
1972 Wilt Chamberlain Center Los Angeles Lakers
1971 Lew Alcindor Center Milwaukee Bucks
1970 Willis Reed Center/Forward New York Knicks
1969 Jerry West Guard Los Angeles Lakers

The Finals MVP award captures the drama and intensity of basketball’s biggest stage. Each winner not only cements their place in the game’s history but also shapes the narrative of their team’s triumph.

NBA MVP awards highlight clutch performances, leadership, and resilience, often serving as the defining chapter of a player’s career.

Notable NBA Finals MVP Facts

  • Jerry West (1969) remains the only player to win Finals MVP from a losing team
  • Andre Iguodala (2015) is the only Finals MVP winner who didn't start every game in the series
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1985) was 38 years old when he won, making him the oldest Finals MVP
  • Magic Johnson (1980) was just 20 years old when he won his first Finals MVP, making him the youngest ever
  • Tim Duncan has the longest gap between first and last Finals MVP (1999-2005)

NBA Finals MVP Dynasties

Several players have dominated Finals MVP voting across multiple years:

  • Michael Jordan (1991-1998): 6 MVPs in 8 years with the Chicago Bulls
  • Shaquille O'Neal (2000-2002): 3 consecutive MVPs with the Lakers
  • LeBron James (2012-2020): 4 MVPs across 3 different teams
  • Tim Duncan (1999-2005): 3 MVPs anchoring the Spurs dynasty
  • Magic Johnson (1980-1987): 3 MVPs during the Showtime Lakers era
“It was a full team effort, and I share this with my brothers… we share this together.”
— Jaylen Brown, reflecting on Boston’s championship after winning the 2024 NBA Finals MVP

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has won the most NBA Finals MVP awards?

Michael Jordan holds the record with 6 NBA Finals MVP awards, won in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. LeBron James is second with 4 Finals MVP awards (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020).

When was the first NBA Finals MVP award given?

The first NBA Finals MVP award was given in 1969 to Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers. Notably, West remains the only player to win Finals MVP from a losing team.

Which team has produced the most NBA Finals MVPs?

The Los Angeles Lakers have produced the most NBA Finals MVP winners, with players from the Lakers winning the award 11 times throughout history.

Has anyone won Finals MVP without winning the championship?

Yes, Jerry West in 1969 is the only player to win Finals MVP from a losing team. The Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics 4-3, but West's exceptional performance earned him the inaugural Finals MVP award.

Who is the youngest Finals MVP winner?

Magic Johnson became the youngest Finals MVP winner at age 20 in 1980. He famously started at center in the clinching Game 6 when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured, scoring 42 points in the victory.

Can international players win Finals MVP?

Yes, several international players have won Finals MVP including Nikola Jokić (Serbia, 2023), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece, 2021), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany, 2011), Tony Parker (France, 2007), and Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria/USA, 1994-1995).