The 2024-25 NBA regular season gave us one of the most competitive MVP races in recent memory, and now, with the playoffs heating up, the leagueās top MVP candidates are backing up their cases with big time numbers on the biggest stage. These stars arenāt just regular-season wonders ā theyāre proving, night after night, why theyāre truly the most valuable players in the game. Letās break down the elite performances that have defined this yearās MVP race. š„
Nikola Jokic ā Denver Nuggets
What more can you say about the Joker? The three-time MVP entered this season with sky-high expectations ā and somehow exceeded them. Jokic averaged a near triple-double once again, putting up 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game while shooting a blistering 58% from the field. In the postseason, heās continued his dominance, orchestrating Denverās offense with surgical precision. Whether itās threading the needle with passes or hitting unguardable fadeaways, Jokic remains the most complete offensive weapon in the league. And despite heavy defensive attention, he continues to find ways to lift his team when it matters most.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ā Oklahoma City Thunder
SGA has officially arrived as a superstar. After leading OKC to a top seed in the West, he put up career-best numbers: 30.1 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game on elite efficiency. He led the league in 30-point games and did it while defending at a high level. In the playoffs, he hasnāt missed a beat, hitting clutch shots and showing leadership beyond his years. What makes SGAās numbers stand out isnāt just the volume ā itās the calm and control he brings, even in chaos. This guy is the real deal.
Luka DonÄiÄ ā Dallas Mavericks
When Luka is locked in, thereās nobody quite like him. The Slovenian superstar was a walking triple-double this season, leading the league in scoring at 33.9 points per game, along with 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds. Luka carried the Mavs into playoff contention with his usual mix of craft, footwork, and fearlessness. And when the lights are brightest, he shines. In the postseason, heās been a one-man wrecking crew ā hitting step-back threes, bullying defenders, and making it look effortless. His stat lines look like video game numbers, and yet, theyāre real.
Jayson Tatum ā Boston Celtics
Bostonās top seed in the East came on the back of Tatumās consistent, two-way excellence. He averaged 27.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, all while guarding the oppositionās best wings and leading the leagueās most balanced roster. Heās not the flashiest MVP candidate ā but heās the most complete. Now in the playoffs, Tatum continues to deliver efficient scoring and lockdown defense, reminding everyone that winning matters when discussing MVPs.
