The Western Conference semifinals between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder feature a compelling matchup between the likely top two finishers in the 2025 NBA MVP race: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
Gilgeous-Alexander was outstanding in the regular season, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. His performance was key to Oklahoma City securing a league-best 68-14 record.
Jokic, already a three-time MVP winner, posted some of his best career numbers this season. He achieved career highs in points (29.6 per game) and assists (10.2 per game), while also grabbing 12.7 rebounds per contest, the second-highest mark of his career.
This playoff series marks the eighth instance since 1990 where the top two finishers in the MVP voting have met on the court. Five of these previous matchups occurred in the NBA Finals, and remarkably, Michael Jordan was involved in four of them. Historically, the player who won the MVP award has prevailed in the playoff series five times.
Let`s take a look back at each NBA playoff series since 1990 featuring the top two players from the MVP ballot.
Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden, 2017
- MVP:
- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Runner-up:
- James Harden, Houston Rockets
- Series result:
- Rockets won 4-1
In 2017, the top two MVP candidates, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, faced off. Westbrook, the eventual MVP winner for Oklahoma City, averaged a triple-double during the regular season. Harden, the runner-up from Houston, also had a spectacular year, putting up 29.1 points, 11.2 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game.
These former teammates met in the first round of that postseason. The third-seeded Rockets defeated the Thunder in five games.
Westbrook put up remarkable numbers in the series, averaging 37.4 points alongside 11.6 rebounds and 10.8 assists. Harden responded with strong averages of 33.2 points per game. This outcome was notable as it was only the second time since 1990 that the MVP runner-up eliminated the MVP winner in a playoff series.
Stephen Curry vs. James Harden, 2015
- MVP:
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Runner-up:
- James Harden, Houston Rockets
- Series result:
- Warriors won 4-1
Stephen Curry bested James Harden not only for the MVP award but also for a spot in the 2015 NBA Finals when the top two seeds in the Western Conference clashed.
Curry earned the first MVP award of his career that season, averaging 23.8 points and 7.7 assists in the regular season, leading the league with 286 made 3-pointers. Harden also had a breakout season, setting a then-career-high with 27.4 points per game.
The 67-win Warriors quickly took a 3-0 lead against the Rockets in the series and ultimately won in five games. Both Curry and Harden delivered high-scoring performances, with Curry scoring 40 in Game 3 and Harden dropping 45 in Game 4.
LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant, 2012
- MVP:
- LeBron James, Miami Heat
- Runner-up:
- Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Series result:
- Heat won 4-1
LeBron James secured his third MVP award in four seasons in characteristic fashion, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Kevin Durant had a strong season as well with 28.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, but he received significantly fewer first-place MVP votes (24) compared to James (85).
Meeting in the 2012 NBA Finals, the series was competitive despite the final result. After the Thunder won Game 1, both Durant and James scored 32 points in Game 2, which Miami won. Throughout the series, Durant averaged just over 30 points, while James posted averages of 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
This matchup remains, to date, the last time the MVP winner and runner-up have faced each other in the NBA Finals.
Michael Jordan vs. Karl Malone, 1998
- MVP:
- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
- Runner-up:
- Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
- Series result:
- Bulls won 4-2
Widely regarded as one of the most iconic series in NBA history, Michael Jordan`s fifth MVP campaign culminated in his sixth championship. He averaged 28.7 points per game during the regular season, his lowest in a full season since his rookie year. Karl Malone had a strong season too, averaging 27.0 points and 10.3 rebounds.
Jordan won the MVP comfortably, receiving 1,084 total votes compared to Malone`s 842. He solidified his claim in the Finals against Malone and the Jazz, scoring 30 points or more in four out of the six games. Malone also performed well, averaging 25.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
In the decisive Game 6, Jordan delivered 45 points and hit the memorable game-winning shot to secure Chicago`s second three-peat of the decade.
Karl Malone vs. Michael Jordan, 1997
- MVP:
- Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
- Runner-up:
- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
- Series result:
- Bulls won 4-2
Karl Malone claimed his first MVP award in one of the closest races in league history. The Jazz forward received 63 first-place votes and 986 total points, narrowly edging out Jordan, who had 52 first-place votes and 957 points.
Despite Malone winning the individual honor, Jordan lifted the ultimate prize that season – the Larry O`Brien trophy. In the Finals, Jordan averaged 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, while Malone recorded 23.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Michael Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler, 1992
- MVP:
- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
- Runner-up:
- Clyde Drexler, Portland Trail Blazers
- Series result:
- Bulls won 4-2
Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler were frequently compared leading up to the 1992 Finals, a narrative amplified by their finish as the top two in the MVP voting. Jordan won the MVP race decisively, receiving 900 total votes compared to Drexler`s 561. The Finals series produced a similar outcome.
In Game 1 of the Finals, Jordan had an explosive first half, scoring 35 points and famously shrugging after hitting his sixth three-pointer of the second quarter. Jordan dominated the series against the Trail Blazers, averaging 35.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. Drexler`s averages were 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
Michael Jordan vs. Magic Johnson, 1991
- MVP:
- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
- Runner-up:
- Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
- Series result:
- Bulls won 4-1
Michael Jordan`s second of five MVP awards was the first to coincide with an NBA championship. His strong regular season included an average of 31.5 points per game, earning him 891 out of a maximum 960 votes. Lakers star Magic Johnson finished as the runner-up, averaging 19.4 points and 12.5 assists.
Facing one of the biggest stars in the league on the NBA`s grandest stage, Jordan elevated his game significantly to claim his first title. He averaged 31.2 points and 11.4 assists per game as the Bulls secured the series victory in five games.