With the Boston Celtics currently trailing the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals as of writing, there’s finally some space being created between Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his direct competition on NBA Finals MVP odds board.
RELATED: NBA Championship odds
Nikola Jokic (+1000) and Jalen Brunson (+1400) are all of a sudden in the thick of it. Another loss or two in the playoffs could turn these NBA Finals MVP odds on its head once again, yet with so many upsets having transpired this postseason, especially with home-court advantage meaning very little, keeping tabs on these Finals MVP odds for followers of this market has never been more important.
Here’s a look at all viable contenders for the Bill Russell award, including our favorites and sleepers. Which player will help bolster his team on the NBA championship odds board? Let’s find out.
Oddsmakers clearly aren’t worried too much, though, still placing Gilgeous-Alexander atop the NBA Finals MVP odds leaderboard.
NBA Finals MVP odds
| Player |
Odds |
Implied Probability |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
–135 |
57.45% |
| Jalen Brunson |
+700 |
12.50% |
| Anthony Edwards |
+750 |
11.76% |
| Tyrese Haliburton |
+900 |
10.00% |
| Jaylen Brown |
+2200 |
4.35% |
| Nikola Jokic |
+2900 |
3.33% |
| Julius Randle |
+3000 |
3.23% |
| Pascal Siakam |
+3300 |
2.94% |
| Jalen Williams |
+4200 |
2.33% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns |
+4500 |
2.17% |
| Derrick White |
+4700 |
2.08% |
| Chet Holmgren |
+6000 |
1.64% |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
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2025 NBA Finals MVP odds: Favorites
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-135)
Oklahoma City didn’t encounter much adversity during the regular season, not after finishing with the best overall record at 68-14 with a commanding 16-game lead over the Western Conference. After losing Game 3 in OT against the Denver Nuggets on Friday and now being down 2-1 in their best-of-seven series, the Thunder are now facing an uphill climb which could result in yet another early exit in the second round. Oddsmakers clearly aren’t worried too much, though, still placing Gilgeous-Alexander atop the NBA Finals MVP odds leaderboard despite his team being behind to a former champion in Denver.
What they should be concerned about, however, is that SGA’s numbers have dipped in the playoffs. His 28 points per game ranks third overall among players still active, but he’s only shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from 3-point range after converting 51.9 percent and 37.5 percent throughout the 2024-25 campaign in those categories, respectively.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s player efficiency rating has also gone from 30.7 to 24.1, as well. During Friday’s OT defeat, he didn’t record a single tangible statistic with a goose egg across the board as Oklahoma City got outscored 11-2 in a five-minute span. That doesn’t scream future Finals MVP, yet here we are.
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NBA Finals MVP odds: Sleeper pick
Nikola Jokic (+2900)
Very rarely do we see the two favorites for Most Valuable Player square off in the playoffs, and the fact that neither player is playing up to the incredibly high standard they set for themselves during the season is quite peculiar.
In the case of Jokic, his numbers of 26.3, 15.3 rebounds, six assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks on paper reinforce the belief that he’s the greatest basketball player walking God’s green Earth, but what jumps out the most is that he’s turning the rock over seven times per contest. He hasn’t finished with fewer than six turnovers versus the Thunder so far, and his plus-minus is currently at a -7.
Thankfully a number of his Nuggets teammates have compensated for his struggles, and that’s the sign of a true champion that’s been down this path not all that long ago. Jokic’s turnovers haven’t hurt his side as of yet, surprisingly against an elite defense like Oklahoma City’s, but that luck will run out sooner or later.
NBA Finals MVP odds explained
For example, a player like Jayson Tatum may enter the Finals with +200 odds to win Most Valuable Player. If so, a bet of $100 would generate $200 in profit (the initial $100 back, plus $200 more) should Tatum be voted the winner. If, per say, a player like Nikola Jokic had even greater odds at -200, then the profit would be far less at $50 (the initial $100 back, plus $50 more) because oddsmakers believe he’s a stronger lock.
NBA Finals MVP trends
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Michael Jordan holds the record for the most Finals MVP wins at six, followed by LeBron James with four. Three other players are tied with three wins apiece.
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Jerry West is the only player to be named Finals MVP in a losing effort, which he accomplished as the first-ever recipient in 1969.
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2015 winner Andre Iguodala is the only Finals MVP to have not started every game of the series.
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Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, and Hakeem Olajuwon are the only players to have won Finals MVP in consecutive years.
Previous NBA Finals MVP award winners
| Year |
Player |
Position |
Team |
|
2024
|
Jaylen Brown
|
SG
|
Boston Celtics |
|
2023
|
Nikola Jokic
|
C
|
Denver Nuggets
|
|
2022
|
Stephen Curry
|
PG
|
Golden State Warriors
|
|
2021
|
Giannis Antetokounmpo
|
PF
|
Milwaukee Bucks
|
|
2020
|
LeBron James
|
F
|
Los Angeles Lakers
|
|
2019
|
Kawhi Leonard
|
F
|
Toronto Raptors
|
|
2018
|
Kevin Durant
|
F
|
Golden State Warriors
|
|
2017
|
Kevin Durant
|
F
|
Golden State Warriors
|
|
2016
|
LeBron James
|
F
|
Cleveland Cavaliers
|
|
2015
|
Andre Iguodala
|
F
|
Golden State Warriors
|
Our best NBA Finals MVP betting sites
To make sure you get the most value on your NBA odds, go to the best NBA betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the playoffs.
Want more insights on NBA betting markets?
Take a look at other Oddspedia Insights articles that give you everything you need in order make more informed wagers.
NBA Finals MVP FAQs
Who is favored to win NBA Finals MVP?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently the favorite to win the NBA Finals MVP, with Jayson Tatum close behind him.
Has NBA Finals MVP ever been from a losing team?
Jerry West, the first-ever awardee (1969), is the only person to win the award while being on the losing team.
Who was the MVP of the NBA Finals last year?
The NBA Finals MVP in 2024 was Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics after an incredible final series against the Dallas Mavericks.
How is the NBA Finals MVP decided?
The award is determined by a panel of 11 media representatives, who vote after the Finals conclude. The individual with the most votes is earns NBA Finals MVP.
