List of NBA players with most MVPs

The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is given to the player who is deemed the most valuable during the NBA Finals. The award was first given out in 1969, and since then, a number of players have won the award multiple times. We will take a look at the list of NBA players with the most Finals MVP awards.

These players left their mark on the respective postseason series and went on to become greats. Very Few players in the league managed more than 5 Finals MVP Awards, except His Airness Michael Jordan. We will start with GOAT and list out other megastars to achieve the feat.

Michael Jordan - 6 Finals MVPs – 6 NBA Championships

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his six NBA championships and six Finals MVPs attest to his dominance in the game. MJ’s record in the finals is 100% and won the titles defeating some of the best teams of his era

Jordan won his first Finals MVP award in 1991, and he went on to win the award in each of his championship seasons with the Chicago Bulls (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998). He had 32.5 PPG in his championship runs with above 6 rebounds and 4 assists on average.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar - 2 Finals MVPs - 6 NBA Championships

A veteran of 20 seasons in the NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players of all time. A 19-time All-Star, 6-time NBA champion, and a two-time NBA finals MVP, Jabbar was named as the greatest center of all time in 2007 by ESPN. He held the record for being the regular-season career leader in points at the time of his retirement, with a staggering 38,387 points. This record held its ground till 2023 when LeBron James surpassed Jabbar as the career-scoring leader.

LeBron James - 4 Finals MVPs – 4 NBA Championships

LeBron James has established himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his four Finals MVPs demonstrate his excellence on the game's biggest stage. LeBron played for 3 different teams and won the Finals MVP award for each of those.

James won his first Finals MVP award in 2012, and he has gone on to win the award in three of his championship seasons (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020). After back-to-back MVP awards with the Miami Heat, LeBron won 1st NBA Championship for the Cavs and 17th title for the Lakers, where he was named MVP on both occasions. LBJ played in 10 NBA Finals - most since Bill Russell and Celtics' dominant era. James has also been a runner-up for the award on four other occasions.

Magic Johnson - 3 Finals MVPs – 5 NBA Championships

Magic Johnson was a legendary point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, and his three Finals MVP awards attest to his greatness. Architect of the “Showtime Lakers”, Magic Johnson sets a record for winning the Finals MVP award in his rookie season in 1980.

Helping the Lakers to clinch 4 more trophies in the next 8 years, Magic bagged his Finals MVP awards in 1982 and 1987. Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA championships during his career and was a 12-time All-Star.

Shaquille O'Neal - 3 Finals MVPs – 4 NBA Championships

Shaquille O'Neal was a dominant force in the paint during his career, and his three Finals MVPs demonstrate his impact on the game. O'Neal won his first Finals MVP award in 2000, and he went on to win the award in each of his championship seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002).

O'Neal won his fourth Championship with Miami Heat, where Dwayne Wade was crowned Finals MVP for his heroics. Shaq averaged 30 points, and 14.2 rebounds in his MVP seasons at the Lakers.

Tim Duncan - 3 Finals MVPs – 5 NBA Championships

Tim Duncan was known for his consistency and efficiency on the court, and his three Finals MVPs are a testament to his ability to perform at the highest level. Duncan played for San Antonio Spurs and Duncan won five championships. Duncan won his first Finals MVP award in 1999, and he went on to win the award in 2003 and 2005.

Duncan made it to 6 NBA finals and lost only once to the 2013Duncan has an incredible record of 21 points and 13 rebounds in the 34 finals games.

Kobe Bryant - 2 Finals MVPs – 5 NBA Championships

Kobe Bryant was a prolific scorer and a five-time NBA champion. He played for LA Lakers throughout his career and remains only the third player (Magic Johnson and Derek Fisher are the other two stars) with 5 NBA titles with the franchise.

Bryant won his first Finals MVP award in 2009 and went on to win it again in 2010. Kobe made it to 7 NBA finals. His team lost to Pistons in 2004 and Boston Celtics in 2008. Bryant was also an 18-time All-Star and one of the most beloved players in NBA history.

Hakeem Olajuwon - 2 Finals MVPs – 2 NBA Championships

Hakeem Olajuwon was a dominant center and one of the best post players in NBA history, and his two Finals MVPs demonstrate his impact on the game. Olajuwon won his first Finals MVP award in 1994 and went on to win it again in 1995. Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to two championships during his career and was a 12-time All-Star.

Olajuwon and the Rockets set a record for the lowest seed team winning the NBA championship in 1995 as they overcame Orlando Magic in the finals in 4 games. Hakeem Averaged 30.5 points and 10.6 rebounds in the championship Run.

Larry Bird - 2 Finals MVPs - 3 NBA Championships

Larry Bird was one of the best small forwards in NBA history, and his plays helped Boston Celtics to regain glory after a title drought. Bird won his first Finals MVP award in 1984 when he led the Boston Celtics to a championship, and he went on to win the award again in 1986.

Larry Bird was a 12-time All-Star and won three NBA championships during his career. Bird averaged a playoff career-high 27.5 points and 2.3 steals in the 1984 championship run The immaculate shooter drained 52% of his shots in that series, which is also his playoff career-best shooting.

Kevin Durant – 2 Finals MVPs - 2 NBA Championships

Kevin Durant is considered one of the best shooters who made it to the elite 50-40-90 club twice in his career. Durant moved to Golden State Warriors in order to win the Championship and delivered his best performance winning 2 NBA championships and Finals MVP awards with the Franchise.

Kevin Durant and the team recorded a 16-1 run to win the championship in 2016 while dropping only 5 games in the 2017 Championship run.

Kawhi Leonard - 2 Finals MVPs - 2 NBA Championships

Kawhi Leonard has quickly established himself as one of the best players in the NBA, and his two Finals MVPs demonstrate his ability to perform in clutch situations. Leonard won his first Finals MVP award in 2014 when he led the San Antonio Spurs to a championship, and he won it again in 2019 when he led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history.

Willis Reed - 2 Finals MVPs - 2 NBA Championships

Willis Reed was a dominant center for the New York Knicks in the 1960s and 1970s. Reed won his first Finals MVP award in 1970 when he led the Knicks to a championship, and he won it again in 1973. Reed was a seven-time All-Star and won two championships during his career.

These 10 players are some of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball, and their multiple Finals MVP awards highlight their dominance on the game's biggest stage. From Michael Jordan's six awards to Kawhi Leonard's two, these players have left an indelible mark on the NBA and will be remembered for their greatness for years to come. As the league continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if any current players will join this elite list in the future.

With the NBA Finals being the pinnacle of basketball competition, the award for Finals MVP carries immense significance and prestige. The players who have won multiple Finals MVP awards have demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most and has helped lead their teams to championship success.