NBA MVP: The NBA has revealed the finalists for the 2025 Most Valuable Player award, and once again, the top three contenders all hail from outside the United States. Leading the charge are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), three global superstars who have dominated the league this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The League’s Scoring King
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken his game to another level in 2025. Averaging a league-best 32.7 points per game, he also shot an impressive 52% from the field and guided the Thunder to an NBA-best 68 wins.
Oklahoma City not only topped the standings but also set a league record for scoring margin, showing just how dominant Gilgeous-Alexander and his team have been. After finishing second in MVP voting last year, SGA is now seen by many as the frontrunner to finally claim the award.
Nikola Jokic: The Triple-Double Machine Strikes Again
Nikola Jokic, already a three-time MVP (2021, 2022, 2024), is back in the mix with another historic season. The Denver Nuggets star averaged a triple-double:
- 29.6 points
- 12.7 rebounds
- 10.2 assists
This marks Jokic as just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a full season, joining Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. If he wins, Jokic will become a four-time MVP, joining the likes of LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain in the record books.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Still Dominant, Still Dangerous
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP from 2019 and 2020, continues to be one of the league’s most unstoppable forces. He put up another elite stat line this season, with 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game for the Milwaukee Bucks.
While many believe the MVP race is mainly between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, Giannis’s all-around impact and leadership still make him a serious contender.
Global Game: MVP Finalists All Born Abroad
This is the fourth year in a row that all three MVP finalists were born outside the U.S., highlighting the NBA’s increasing global reach. The last American-born MVP was James Harden back in 2018. Since then, international stars have become the league’s leading faces.
What’s Next?
The NBA will reveal the MVP winner and other major regular-season awards in the coming weeks. These include Rookie of the Year, where the finalists are:
- Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks)
- Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
- Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)
Risacher, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, aims to follow in the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who won the award last year.
Final Thoughts
This year’s MVP race is one of the tightest in recent memory. Jokic has the numbers. Gilgeous-Alexander has the wins. Giannis has the consistency. No matter who takes home the trophy, one thing is certain: the future of the NBA is as global as ever.
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