Jokic vs. Gilgeous-Alexander: Duel of Giants for the MVP in the Playoffs
The Western Conference playoffs feature a stellar matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, a duel that pits the two most outstanding players in the race for the NBA MVP in 2025 against each other: Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander, with averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds during the regular season, led the Thunder to an impressive 68-14 record.
For his part, three-time MVP winner Jokic had one of his best statistical seasons, with 29.6 points and 10.2 assists per game, both career highs. In addition, he averaged 12.7 rebounds, the second-best mark of his career.
This series marks the eighth time since 1990 that the top two in MVP voting have faced each other in a playoff series. In five of those instances, the matchup took place in the NBA Finals, and in four of them, Michael Jordan was a protagonist. The MVP winner’s team has prevailed in five of these matchups.
A Look at MVP Playoff Matchups Since 1990
Here’s a look back at every NBA playoff series since 1990 that involved the top two vote-getters in MVP voting:
- 2017: Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden
MVP: Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Second place: Harden (Houston Rockets)
Series result: Rockets win 4-1
One of the two instances since 1990 in which the second-place finisher beat the MVP winner in the playoffs occurred in 2017, when James Harden bested Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook, before Gilgeous-Alexander, averaged a triple-double in the regular season, on the way to the award. Harden also had a stellar year, with 29.1 points, 11.2 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game.
The former teammates faced off in the first round of that postseason, with the No. 3-seeded Rockets winning in five games. Westbrook averaged 37.4 points along with 11.6 rebounds and 10.8 assists. Harden averaged 33.2 points per game, marking the second time the runner-up defeated the MVP in a series since 1990.
- 2015: Stephen Curry vs. James Harden
MVP: Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Second place: Harden (Rockets)
Series result: Warriors win 4-1
Curry surpassed Harden not only to win the MVP, but also to secure a place in the 2015 NBA Finals, as the top two seeds of the Western Conference faced off.
Upon obtaining the first MVP of his career, Curry averaged 23.8 points and 7.7 assists in the regular season, including a league record of 286 three-pointers made. Harden enjoyed an outstanding campaign with 27.4 points per game, then the best mark of his career.
The Warriors, with 67 wins, opened a 3-0 lead in the series against the Rockets, ultimately winning in five games. Curry and Harden each had a 40-point game: 40 for Curry in Game 3 and 45 for Harden in Game 4.
- 2012: LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant
MVP: James (Miami Heat)
Second place: Durant (Thunder)
Series result: Heat win 4-1
The matchup between LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the 2012 NBA Finals is the last time an MVP winner and runner-up faced each other in the Finals.
James’ third MVP in four seasons came in characteristic fashion, as he averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Durant kept up with 28.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, but received only 24 first-place votes compared to James’ 85.
When facing each other in the 2012 NBA Finals, the two faced off in a close series. After a Thunder victory in Game 1, Durant and James each scored 32 points in Game 2, which the Heat won. Durant averaged just over 30 points in the series, while James averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
To date, this is the last time an MVP winner and runner-up faced each other in the Finals.
- 1998: Michael Jordan vs. Karl Malone
MVP: Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
Second place: Malone (Utah Jazz)
Result of the series: Bulls win 4-2
Possibly one of the most iconic series in NBA history, Jordan’s fifth MVP campaign propelled him to his sixth championship. He averaged 28.7 points per game in the regular season, his lowest in a full season since he was a rookie. Malone averaged 27.0 points and 10.3 rebounds.
Jordan won the MVP comfortably, obtaining 1,084 total votes compared to Malone’s 842. He demonstrated why he won in the Finals against Malone and the Jazz, scoring at least 30 points in four of six games. Malone held his own, with 25.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
In the decisive Game 6, Jordan scored 45 points and made the go-ahead basket to crown Chicago’s second three-peat of the decade.
- 1997: Karl Malone vs. Michael Jordan
MVP: Malone (Jazz)
Second place: Jordan (Bulls)
Result of the series: Bulls win 4-2
Malone claimed his first MVP award in one of the closest races in league history. The Jazz star had 63 first-place votes and 986 total points compared to Jordan’s 52 and 957.
Although Malone won the MVP, Jordan obtained the most important trophy that season: the Larry O’Brien. He averaged 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the Finals, while Malone scored 23.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
- 1992: Michael Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler
MVP: Jordan (Bulls)
Second place: Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers)
Result of the series: Bulls win 4-2
Jordan and Drexler were often compared to each other before the 1992 Finals, and the MVP race only added to those discussions. Jordan comfortably took care of that, obtaining 900 total votes, while Drexler had 561. The Finals brought a similar result.
In Game 1 of the Finals, Jordan exploded with a 35-point performance in the first half that included the iconic “shrug” after connecting his sixth three-pointer in the second quarter. Jordan dominated the Trail Blazers, averaging 35.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. Drexler averaged 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
- 1991: Michael Jordan vs. Magic Johnson
MVP: Jordan (Bulls)
Second place: Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers)
Series result: Bulls win 4-1
Jordan received 891 out of a maximum of 960 votes to win the MVP in 1991.
Jordan’s second of five MVP awards was the first to coincide with a championship. His solid regular season included 31.5 points per game, and he obtained 891 out of a maximum of 960 votes. Lakers star Johnson averaged 19.4 points and 12.5 assists.
When facing one of the NBA’s biggest names on the brightest stage, Jordan elevated his game to win a title. He averaged 31.2 points and 11.4 assists per game as the Bulls won the series in five games.
