Who Has the Most Finals MVPs in NBA History? Find Out Where Legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James Rank

The intensity is building. The teams are ready, and the fans can’t wait for the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Pascal Siakam each earned the Conference Finals MVP in their series and look to carry that success into the NBA Finals.

As they wait for Game 1 on Thursday, fans have flipped through the history books to check out all the records regarding the NBA Finals. One interesting achievement that popped out was the player who won multiple Finals MVP awards. Therefore, let’s dig deep and find out who won the most.

List of NBA Legends Who Won Multiple Finals MVP Awards

Seven players (Willis Reed, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard) won the Finals MVP award twice, and many more made the list. Here are the top five players in the NBA who have won multiple Finals MVP awards. We go from a descending to an ascending order of players who achieved this feat.

• Tim Duncan: 3 Finals MVPs

Tim Duncan, arguably the best power forward in league history, has won the NBA championship five times in his storied career. He joined John Salley as the only other player to win the title in three different decades: in 1999, thrice in the 2000s, and once in 2014.

Duncan earned his first Finals MVP award in 1999 after the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks to win their first NBA title. He was honored with his other two Finals MVP selections in 2003 and 2007. Duncan performed remarkably in those series and achieved greatness beyond measure.

Stats: 

1. 1999 (New York Knicks) – 27.4 pts, 14.0 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.0 stl, 2.2 blk
2. 2003 (New Jersey Nets) – 24.2 pts, 17.0 reb, 5.3 ast, 1.0 stl, 5.3 blk
3. 2005 (Detroit Pistons) – 20.6 pts, 14.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.4 stl, 2.1 blk

• Shaquille O’Neal: 3 Finals MVPs

The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the NBA in the early 2000s, completing the three-peat from 2000-2002. In each of those years, O’Neal became the Finals MVP by providing powerful displays of his ability on the court. The Lakers defeated the Pacers 4-2, followed by a 4-1 victory over Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers, then a clean sweep against the New Jersey Nets.

The legendary center hurt the opposition with his post moves, and nobody could do a thing when he used his brute strength. He ended his career with four NBA Finals titles.

Stats: 

1. 2000 (Indiana Pacers) – 38.0 pts, 16.7 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.0 stl, 2.7 blk
2. 2001 (Philadelphia 76ers) – 33.0 pts, 15.8 reb, 4.8 ast, 0.4 stl, 3.4 blk
3. 2002 (New Jersey Nets) – 36.3 pts, 12.3 ast, 3.8 ast, 0.5 stl, 2.8 blk

• Magic Johnson: 3 Finals MVPs

The name suggests the capability of the man who won five NBA championships throughout the 80s. The Showtime Lakers transformed the NBA into what it is today. Their run-and-gun style of play and on-court “showmanship” entertained the masses, with Magic Johnson leading the way.

Johnson won three Finals MVPs in 1980, 1982, and 1987, spilled magic on the floor with flashy passes, and might be the only point guard who could play in the center position due to his 6’9″ frame.

Stats: 

1. 1980 (Philadelphia 76ers) – 21.5 pts, 11.2 reb, 8.7 ast, 2.7 stl, 0.3 blk
2. 1982 (Philadelphia 76ers) – 16.2 pts, 10.8 reb, 8.0 ast, 2.5 stl, 0.3 blk
3. 1987 (Boston Celtics) – 26.2 pts, 8.0 reb, 13.0 ast, 2.3 stl, 0.3 blk

• Lebron James: 4 Finals MVPs

When the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron James, everyone knew his talents, but not to the extent that he bashed pro players coming straight out of college. He’s won four NBA titles in his career with three different teams (Miami Heat, Cavaliers, Lakers) and four Finals MVPs in those years. He’s made the NBA Finals 10 times and makes a case for being the greatest player in the league.

Plus, who can forget the 3-1 comeback against the Golden State Warriors in 2016?

Stats: 

1. 2012 (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 28.6 pts, 10.2 reb, 7.4 ast, 1.6 stl, 0.4 blk
2. 2013 (San Antonio Spurs) – 25.3 pts, 10.9 reb, 7.0 ast, 2.3 stl, 0.9 blk
3. 2016 (Golden State Warriors) – 29.7 pts, 11.3 reb, 8.9 ast, 2.6 stl, 2.3 blk
4. 2020 (Miami Heat) – 29.8 pts, 11.8 reb, 8.5 ast, 1.2 stl, 0.5 blk

• Michael Jordan: 6 Finals MVPs

Michael Jordan, arguably the GOAT of basketball, dominated the NBA in the 1990s. Top players like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, and John Stockton couldn’t get a ring almost solely because of Jordan, who could score at will. He achieved his first three-peat from 1991 to 1993 and retired for a bit to play baseball. He got back on his NBA bike and won a second three-peat from 1996 to 1998.

That’s the greatness of the man.

Stats: 

1. 1991 (Los Angeles Lakers) – 31.2 pts, 6.6 reb, 11.4 ast, 2.8 stl, 1.4 blk
2. 1992 (Portland Trail Blazers) – 35.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.7 stl, 0.3 blk
3. 1993 (Phoenix Suns) – 41.0 pts, 8.5 reb, 6.3 ast, 1.7 stl, 0.7 blk
4. 1996 (Seattle Supersonics) – 27.3 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.2 ast, 1.7 stl, 0.2 blk
5. 1997 (Utah Jazz) – 32.3 pts, 7.0 reb, 6.0 ast, 1.2 stl, 0.8 blk
6. 1998 (Utah Jazz) – 33.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.8 stl, 0.7 blk

As shown, several players have won multiple Finals MVPs in their careers. With the 2025 NBA Finals looming, young talent like Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have the chance to win their first and begin the path towards joining the names above.