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NBA Finals MVP Awards, 1969 to 2026

Michael Jordan won 6 NBA Finals MVP awards, one for each Bulls title. LeBron James has 4, and Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan and Shaq have 3 each.

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What the data shows

  • In 2026, Michael Jordan ranks #1 with 6, ahead of LeBron James (4) and Magic Johnson (3).
  • Back in 1969, Jerry West was #1 with 1.
  • The top spot changed hands 3 times: Willis Reed in 1973, Magic Johnson in 1987 and Michael Jordan in 1996.
  • Biggest climber: LeBron James, from #10 in 2012 to #2 in 2026.

About this chart

Michael Jordan won the Finals MVP in all six of Chicago's championship runs, in 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998, which is two more than LeBron James. LeBron's four came in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020, with three different franchises. Magic Johnson (1980, 1982, 1987), Tim Duncan (1999, 2003, 2005) and Shaquille O'Neal (2000 to 2002) each won 3.

Jerry West won the first award in 1969 and remains the only Finals MVP from the losing team. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won in 1971, as Lew Alcindor, and in 1985, counted here as one player. Kevin Durant won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, as did Kobe Bryant in 2009 and 2010. The most recent winners are Jaylen Brown (2024), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025) and Jalen Brunson of the Knicks (2026).

The data

Source: Wikipedia, 'NBA Finals Most Valuable Player' (winners table); cumulative count at each year; cross-checked against Basketball-Reference awards/finals_mvp.html. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Column = year of the Finals (2026 = 2025-26 Finals). Lew Alcindor (1971) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1985) are counted as one player. Players with 1 award shown: Jerry West only (first winner, 1969). Hakeem Olajuwon is flagged Nigeria (born there, naturalized US citizen 1993).

NBA Finals MVP Awards, Cumulative Finals MVP awards by player, 1969-2026, 1969–2026
Date🇺🇸 Michael Jordan🇺🇸 LeBron James🇺🇸 Magic Johnson🇺🇸 Tim Duncan🇺🇸 Shaquille O'Neal🇺🇸 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar🇺🇸 Willis Reed🇺🇸 Larry Bird🇳🇬 Hakeem Olajuwon🇺🇸 Kobe Bryant🇺🇸 Kawhi Leonard🇺🇸 Kevin Durant🇺🇸 Jerry West
19690000000000001
19700000001000001
19710000011000001
19720000011000001
19730000012000001
19740000012000001
19750000012000001
19760000012000001
19770000012000001
19780000012000001
19790000012000001
19800010012000001
19810010012000001
19820020012000001
19830020012000001
19840020012100001
19850020022100001
19860020022200001
19870030022200001
19880030022200001
19890030022200001
19900030022200001
19911030022200001
19922030022200001
19933030022200001
19943030022210001
19953030022220001
19964030022220001
19975030022220001
19986030022220001
19996031022220001
20006031122220001
20016031222220001
20026031322220001
20036032322220001
20046032322220001
20056033322220001
20066033322220001
20076033322220001
20086033322220001
20096033322221001
20106033322222001
20116033322222001
20126133322222001
20136233322222001
20146233322222101
20156233322222101
20166333322222101
20176333322222111
20186333322222121
20196333322222221
20206433322222221
20216433322222221
20226433322222221
20236433322222221
20246433322222221
20256433322222221
20266433322222221

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Frequently asked questions

Who has won the most NBA Finals MVP awards?

Michael Jordan has won the most, with 6 Finals MVP awards in 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998, one for each Bulls championship. LeBron James is second with 4.

Who won the 2026 NBA Finals MVP?

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals MVP. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won in 2025 and Jaylen Brown in 2024.

Has a player on the losing team ever won Finals MVP?

Yes, once. Jerry West won the first Finals MVP award in 1969 and remains the only winner from the losing team.

Where does this data come from?

Wikipedia, 'NBA Finals Most Valuable Player' (winners table); cumulative count at each year; cross-checked against Basketball-Reference awards/finals_mvp.html. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Column = year of the Finals (2026 = 2025-26 Finals). Lew Alcindor (1971) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1985) are counted as one player. Players with 1 award shown: Jerry West only (first winner, 1969). Hakeem Olajuwon is flagged Nigeria (born there, naturalized US citizen 1993). You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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