Who’s most likely to win 2025 NBA Finals MVP? Here are key predictions

The Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton was next in line in the MVP-sweepstakes conversation.

Published on: Jun 3, 2025, 03:26:50 IST

By HT News Desk

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already won the NBA MVP and the Western Conference Finals MVP. He is now the strongest candidate to win the Finals MVP, too.

The Oklahoma City Thunder dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. (Getty Images via AFP)

What are Shai's chances to win Finals MVP, you might wonder?

He has favorable odds without question. According to OddsChecker, a betting website, his odds of winning the Finals MVP award are -550.

Shai performed well in the Western Conference Finals, of course. He is credited for averaging 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.

Also Read: NBA All-star ‘confident’ that New York Knicks will make title run next season

Nominations for Finals MVP?

The Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton was next in line in the MVP-sweepstakes conversation.

Even though Haliburton did not win the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, his line is ahead of teammate Pascal Siakam for MVP nods. Siakam won the MVP for the Eastern Conference Finals with five votes. Haliburton received four votes.

Siakam had a great game during the Game 6 win against the New York Knicks. He was credited with 31 points. His averages for the series were 24.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Haliburton had averages of 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 10.5 assists.

Best candidates for 2025 NBA Finals MVP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): -550

Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): +650

Pascal Siakam (Pacers): +2300

Jalen Williams (Thunder): +3300

Chet Holmgren (Thunder): +7500

Myles Turner (Pacers): +36000

Will Shai end the curse of the MVP?

If Gilgeous-Alexander wins Finals MVP, it will make him the first player to win both the league MVP and Finals MVP in the same year since LeBron James did it in 2013.

He would also break a streak of 8 consecutive MVP award winners not winning a championship in their MVP year. The last was in 2015, when Stephen Curry won the NBA title with the Warriors.

After all that, if Shai and the Thunder win the championship, it will be the first in Oklahoma City since they moved from Seattle to Oklahoma in 2008.

2025 NBA Finals schedule

Game 1: Pacers vs Thunder - June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 2: Pacers vs Thunder - June 8, 8:00 p.m. ET

Game 3: Thunder vs Pacers - June 11, 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 4: Thunder vs Pacers - June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 5: Pacers vs Thunder - June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET*

Game 6: Thunder vs Pacers - June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET*

Game 7: Pacers vs Thunder - June 22, 8:00 p.m. ET*

Where to watch the 2025 NBA Finals ?

If you're in the U.S., it will be on ABC, and also streamed on fubo (which offers a free trial for new customers), while AS USA will have live updates.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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