2025 NBA Finals: Top Playoff Performers
The excitement of the NBA Finals has arrived! The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Indiana Pacers in the battle for the 2025 NBA title. After defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Pacers defeating the New York Knicks, 14 teams are already out of the competition, and we have witnessed stellar performances throughout these weeks.For the third time this postseason, we present our analysis of the most outstanding players of the postseason. Below, the ranking of the eight best players after the first three rounds, prior to the start of the final series in Oklahoma City on Thursday.
- Previous Ranking: First round
- Previous Ranking: Second round
The Top 8 of the Playoffs
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Playoffs statistics 2025 (16 games): 29.8 PTS | 6.9 AST | 5.7 REB | 1.6 STLThe Thunder have been the best team in the NBA all season, and Gilgeous-Alexander was recognized as the regular season MVP. Now he leads this postseason ranking, after averaging 31.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in the Thunder’s victory over the Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 30 points in 11 of the 16 games of these playoffs. If the Thunder, title favorites, achieve the final victory, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t take home the Finals MVP trophy.
Previous Ranking: 4
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Playoffs Statistics 2025 (16 games): 18.8 PTS | 9.8 AST | 5.7 REB | 1.4 STL The matchup between Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton is the best point guard duel in the NBA Finals since the matchups between Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry. If Indiana wants to pull off an upset, they will need Haliburton to replicate performances like the one in Game 4 of the conference finals against the Knicks, where he scored 32 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers. Haliburton’s ability to avoid turnovers will be key in this series, as Oklahoma City’s defense is adept at forcing errors. Previous Ranking: 53. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
2025 Playoffs Stats (18 games): 29.4 PTS | 7.0 AST | 3.4 REB
Despite the Knicks’ loss to Indiana, and a disappointing Game 6 for Brunson, his importance in leading the team to their best season in 25 years cannot be denied. Brunson, the NBA Clutch Player of the Year, averaged 30.7 points and 50% shooting against the Pacers. His performance has catapulted him to the franchise elite, ranking him among the top five players in Knicks history.
Previous Ranking: 1
4. Pascal Siakam, Pacers
2025 Playoffs Stats (16 games): 21.1 PTS | 5.8 REB | 3.3 AST | 46.3 3P%The Eastern Conference Finals MVP, Siakam, has been a perfect fit in Indiana, propelling the team to the conference finals last year and now to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. The connection between Haliburton and Siakam has been fundamental to the Pacers’ offensive success. However, matching that effort against the Thunder will be Indiana’s biggest challenge.
Previous Ranking: Not ranked
5. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Playoffs statistics 2025 (14 games): 26.2 PTS | 12.7 REB | 8.0 AST | 2.0 STLAlthough the Nuggets fell in the second round, Jokic demonstrated his brilliance, pushing the Thunder to the limit in the series. His impressive stats keep him in this ranking despite his team’s elimination.
Previous Ranking: 2
6. Jalen Williams, Thunder
2025 Playoffs Stats (16 games): 20.4 PTS | 5.8 REB | 5.3 AST | 1.6 STL
Williams, after an irregular performance in the series against Denver, resurfaced in the Western Finals, averaging 22.2 points and showing his ability to be the second scorer for the Thunder.Previous Ranking: Not ranked
7. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Playoffs Statistics 2025 (15 games): 25.3 PTS | 7.8 REB | 5.5 ASTThe Thunder showed great respect for Edwards, limiting his scoring in the Western Conference Finals series. Edwards has managed to lead the Timberwolves to the conference finals for the second consecutive year, an impressive achievement. The question is what it will take for the Wolves to overcome the Thunder.
Previous Ranking: 3
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
Playoffs Stats 2025 (18 games): 21.4 PTS | 11.6 REB | 1.3 ASTTowns had great numbers in the Eastern Conference Finals, but his defensive and foul problems were exploited by Indiana. His first season in New York has been a success, but he must improve his defense and the team must be reinforced to aspire to more.
Previous Ranking: Not ranked
