So, I actually like checking out the NBA Finals MVP winners list more than the regular season one. It tells us who excelled while leading their team to the championship. We have the complete list for you of all of the winners since the award started in 1969 when Jerry West won it. You can see which player, position, and team below.
NBA Finals MVP: Quick Facts
- Most recent MVP: Jalen Brunson (2026, New York Knicks).
- 2025 MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder).
- Most Finals MVPs: Michael Jordan, 6.
- Next most: LeBron James, 4.
- Award began: 1969, won by Jerry West, still the only MVP from the losing team.
Who has Won the Most NBA Finals MVP Awards?
So, no surprise that Michael Jordan holds the record for most NBA Finals MVP awards with six. He won the award in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. If you remember, he took a baseball break in the middle there too. LeBron James has the next most with four awards. James won the Finals MVP in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2020. Over the lifetime of the award, there have been more players from the Lakers than any other franchise who have won the Finals MVP. You can check out the list of regular season MVPS that we have up here too.
NBA Finals MVP Winners (2000-2026)
The list of NBA Finals MVP winners is below. I broke them up a bit so it’s easier for you to follow. One of the things you’ll notice is that Stephen Curry only has one award from the finals. The listing of all of the NBA Championship teams is posted here for you as well.
| Year | Winner | Position | Team |
| 2026 | Jalen Brunson | Guard | New York Knicks |
| 2025 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Guard | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2024 | Jaylen Brown | Guard | Boston Celtics |
| 2023 | Nikola Jokić | Center | Denver Nuggets |
| 2022 | Stephen Curry | Guard | Golden State Warriors |
| 2021 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Forward | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2020 | LeBron James | Forward | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2019 | Kawhi Leonard | Forward | Toronto Raptors |
| 2018 | Kevin Durant | Forward | Golden State Warriors |
| 2017 | Kevin Durant | Forward | Golden State Warriors |
| 2016 | LeBron James | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2015 | Andre Iguodala | Forward/Guard | Golden State Warriors |
| 2014 | Kawhi Leonard | Forward | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2013 | LeBron James | Forward | Miami Heat |
| 2012 | LeBron James | Forward | Miami Heat |
| 2011 | Dirk Nowitzki | Forward | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2010 | Kobe Bryant | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2009 | Kobe Bryant | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2008 | Paul Pierce | Forward | Boston Celtics |
| 2007 | Tony Parker | Guard | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2006 | Dwyane Wade | Guard | Miami Heat |
| 2005 | Tim Duncan | Forward/Center | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2004 | Chauncey Billups | Guard | Detroit Pistons |
| 2003 | Tim Duncan | Forward/Center | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2002 | Shaquille O’Neal | Center | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2001 | Shaquille O’Neal | Center | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2000 | Shaquille O’Neal | Center | Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA Finals MVP Winners (1969-1999)
So, the first NBA Finals MVP winner was a bit controversial. Jerry West won the award over Bill Russell and the Celtics. The catch? This is the only time in the history of the award that it went to a player on a losing team. That has not happened since. For Celtics fans, this would be the last time that Russell would play for an NBA Championship.
| Year | Winner | Position | Team |
| 1999 | Tim Duncan | Forward/Center | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1998 | Michael Jordan | Guard | Chicago Bulls |
| 1997 | Michael Jordan | Guard | Chicago Bulls |
| 1996 | Michael Jordan | Guard | Chicago Bulls |
| 1995 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Center | Houston Rockets |
| 1994 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Center | Houston Rockets |
| 1993 | Michael Jordan | Guard | Chicago Bulls |
| 1992 | Michael Jordan | Guard | Chicago Bulls |
| 1991 | Michael Jordan | Guard | Chicago Bulls |
| 1990 | Isiah Thomas | Guard | Detroit Pistons |
| 1989 | Joe Dumars | Guard | Detroit Pistons |
| 1988 | James Worthy | Forward | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1987 | Magic Johnson | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1986 | Larry Bird | Forward | Boston Celtics |
| 1985 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Center | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1984 | Larry Bird | Forward | Boston Celtics |
| 1983 | Moses Malone | Center | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1982 | Magic Johnson | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1981 | Cedric Maxwell | Forward | Boston Celtics |
| 1980 | Magic Johnson | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1979 | Dennis Johnson | Guard | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1978 | Wes Unseld | Center/Forward | Washington Bullets |
| 1977 | Bill Walton | Center | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1976 | Jo Jo White | Guard | Boston Celtics |
| 1975 | Rick Barry | Forward | Golden State Warriors |
| 1974 | John Havlicek | Forward/Guard | Boston Celtics |
| 1973 | Willis Reed | Center/Forward | New York Knicks |
| 1972 | Wilt Chamberlain | Center | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1971 | Lew Alcindor | Center | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1970 | Willis Reed | Center/Forward | New York Knicks |
| 1969 | Jerry West | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA Finals MVP Highlights
Here’s a cool highlight video of all of the NBA Finals MVPs for you at the time of production.
NBA Finals MVP Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most recent NBA Finals MVP?
Jalen Brunson won the 2026 NBA Finals MVP after leading the New York Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 for the franchise’s first title since 1973.
Who has the most NBA Finals MVP awards?
Michael Jordan holds the record with 6 Finals MVP awards, all won with the Chicago Bulls. LeBron James is next with 4.
Who was the first NBA Finals MVP?
Jerry West won the first NBA Finals MVP in 1969 and remains the only player to win the award while playing for the losing team.
More Champions and Winners Lists
- NBA Finals Winners by Year
- Super Bowl Winners by Year
- World Series Champions by Year
- Stanley Cup Winners by Year
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions by Year
