By Chris Herring
With Sunday`s crucial Game 7 now completed, seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder decisively defeat the Denver Nuggets to join the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA`s final four, we gain much clearer insight into the key difference-makers vying for the Larry O`Brien Trophy.
In this update on the Postseason MVP race, following the conference semifinals, we present a ranking of the eight players whose performances have most prominently stood out through two intense and unpredictable rounds.
1. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
2025 Playoffs Stats: 28.8 PTS | 7.7 AST | 3.9 REB (12 games)
After wrapping up the first-round series against the Detroit Pistons with a difficult step-back three, Brunson`s subsequent feat was guiding New York to the conference finals by eliminating the Boston Celtics. He had a subdued start to that series but, as is often his nature, was pivotal in the late stages.
His impact was particularly significant in Games 1, 2, and 4, where the Knicks mounted comebacks from deficits of 20, 20, and 14 points, respectively, to secure wins.
The All-NBA guard`s next challenge is facing the Pacers, a team he averaged nearly 30 points and six assists against during the regular season. Brunson and his teammates are looking to get revenge for last year`s conference semifinals defeat to Indiana.
Should games come down to the wire, the league`s Clutch Player of the Year is well-prepared. Brunson has already sunk 14 clutch baskets in these playoffs, almost twice as many as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is second in this category.
2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
2025 Playoffs Stats: 26.2 PTS | 12.7 REB | 8.0 AST | 2.0 STL (14 games)
With teammate Aaron Gordon significantly limited, and Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. contributing only 19 points combined on 24 attempts, Jokic received very little scoring support from his usual veteran core in Sunday`s elimination defeat.
Despite this reality, and his team`s overall series loss, it doesn`t necessarily weaken Jokic`s argument for a high position on this list. While he struggled from beyond the arc (0-for-10 in the Game 3 overtime loss and 2-for-8 in Game 4), he also delivered one of the most spectacular individual performances of the playoffs in the Nuggets` Game 5 loss, scoring 44 points, grabbing 22 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists on just 25 shots.
Jokic pushed a historically strong Thunder team to their limits, with 24-year-old Christian Braun serving as his most effective teammate in Game 7.
(Reflecting on the season and elimination, Jokic expressed gratitude for personal and team achievements.)
3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
2025 Playoffs Stats: 26.5 PTS | 8.0 REB | 5.9 AST | 38.5 3P% (10 games)
The Timberwolves` star recovered from a less efficient first-round performance against the Los Angeles Lakers to shoot 44% from three on nearly nine attempts per game in the conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors (primarily without Stephen Curry).
A notable aspect of Edwards` series-clinching Game 5s so far is his ability to utilize the significant defensive attention he draws to create plays for teammates. He registered eight assists in the win sealing the series against the Lakers and an impressive 12 assists in the decisive game against the Warriors.
Edwards must now prepare for OKC`s aggressive defense, which was the league`s most effective at limiting one-on-one situations during the regular season, allowing just 0.81 points per possession.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
2025 Playoffs Stats: 28.4 PTS | 6.6 AST | 6.2 REB | 1.3 STL (10 games)
The Thunder guard, who is expected to be named the league`s regular-season MVP in the coming days, had a stellar beginning and end to his series against Denver. He struggled with his shooting efficiency during Games 3 and 4 but then followed up with strong showings of 31, 32, and 35 points in the series` final three contests. He shot no worse than 52% from the field in Games 5, 6, and 7, elevating his team when they needed it most.
If there`s a reason for SGA to be lower on this list, it`s his efficiency issues in the opening round. However, he has the opportunity to improve his standing against the Wolves and potentially in the Finals, should the top-seeded Thunder advance.
He ranks second in clutch baskets made in these playoffs, behind Jalen Brunson.
5. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
2025 Playoffs Stats: 17.5 PTS | 9.3 AST | 5.5 REB (10 games)
After shooting only 42% overall and under 27% from three in the first round, Haliburton significantly improved his performance against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, shooting 54% overall and almost 46% from deep to pull off an upset in just five games.
One of the critical factors for the Indiana star this postseason is his capability to make big-time shots to close out games, much like Jalen Brunson. He has been remarkably efficient in the final minute of clutch scenarios for the Pacers, shooting 4-for-5 from the field, making the most such shots in these playoffs.
6. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves
2025 Playoffs Stats: 23.9 PTS | 5.9 REB | 5.9 AST | 50.9 FG% (10 games)
Yes, this is indeed the same player who struggled significantly in his previous two postseason appearances, shooting 29.8% from the field in 2021 and 37.4% in 2022, both while with the Knicks.
However, Randle has been outstanding for Minnesota during these playoffs, shooting nearly 51%, averaging 23.9 points (close behind Edwards), and leading the team in assists (tied with Edwards) at 5.9 per game. Long recognized as one of the league`s best at creating opportunities for corner three-pointers, Randle currently looks remarkably at ease, which could be immensely valuable if OKC`s defense focuses heavily on Edwards.
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
2025 Playoffs Stats: 29.6 PTS | 4.7 REB | 3.9 AST (9 games)
Much like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mitchell gave maximum effort and at times single-handedly carried his team`s offensive load. The Cavaliers` star led all scorers in the second round, averaging over 34 points per contest.
Despite playing through an ankle injury in an attempt to revitalize a Cleveland team facing an early exit after a successful 64-win regular season, Mitchell`s efficiency from three-point range saw a sharp decline from the first round, dropping from 46% to 24% on a high volume of necessary attempts in the conference semifinals.
(After the loss to the Pacers, Mitchell expressed despondency and disbelief regarding the outcome.)
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
2025 Playoffs Stats: 33.0 PTS | 15.4 REB | 6.6 AST | 60.6 FG% (5 games)
The Bucks` forward is the sole player whose exceptional performance in the opening round was so significant that he warranted inclusion on this list again, though understandably ranked lower given the added weight of the conference semifinals.
It`s worth recalling just how dominant Antetokounmpo was without an injured Damian Lillard (and with a very quiet Kyle Kuzma): Antetokounmpo averaged an impressive 33 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in his five games against Indiana, doing so while shooting an outstanding 60.6% from the field.
