A look at the list of players to have won the regular-season NBA MVP and MVP Finals award in the same year
The NBA season ended today with the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA title this year, defeating the Boston Celtics 4-2, and Stephen Curry was named MVP of the NBA Finals in 2021-22.
The Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on their home court to win their fourth championship in eight seasons. Between the end of the first quarter and the start of the second, Golden State built a 21-0 lead that was too much for Boston to overcome in a 103-90 triumph.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jovic won the regular-season MVP for the 2021-22 season.
Full List Of Players To Have Won NBA MVP In Regular Season And MVP Finals Award In Same Year
1. Willis Reed (1970)
Willis Reed averaged 21.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 81 games for the New York Knicks during the 1969-70 regular season. The Hall of Famer made 50.7 per cent of his field goals and 75.6 per cent of his free throws. Jerry West, the logo, was defeated by Reed for the MVP Award.
The Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games in the 1970 playoffs, with Reed winning the Finals MVP Award. In the series, he averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, however, he was only able to play in six games due to injuries.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s greatest scorer, led the Milwaukee Bucks to the regular-season MVP award in 1971. During his Hall of Fame career, the 19-time All-Star and six-time NBA champion won six MVPs and two Finals MVPs with the Bucks and Lakers, respectively.
Abdul-Jabbar did, however, win MVP and Finals MVP in the same season only once, in 1971. He won MVP over West after averaging 31.7 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists throughout the regular season.
The Bucks won four games to one in the 1971 Finals against the Baltimore Bullets. In the four-game sweep, Abdul-Jabbar scored 27.0 points, grabbed 18.5 rebounds, and dished out 2.8 assists, earning him MVP honours.
3. Moses Malone (1983)
Moses Malone, one of the best rebounders in NBA history, averaged 24.5 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks a game with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982-83. Over Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, he was named MVP.
The Sixers swept the Lakers in the Finals to win the championship in 1983. Malone won the Finals MVP award with 25.8 points, 18.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
4. Larry Bird (1984, 1986)
During his remarkable stint with the Celtics, Larry Bird won three MVP awards, three NBA championships, and two Finals MVPs.
Bird defeated Bernard King for MVP honours in 1983-84, averaging 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. In seven hard-fought games, the Celtics overcame the Lakers in the 1984 Finals. Larry Legend was named MVP of the Finals after averaging 27.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
During the 1985-86 season, Bird was back to his old ways. Averaging 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, the Hall of Famer was named MVP. In the 1986 NBA Finals, Bird and the Celtics beat the Houston Rockets. The NBA legend averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists throughout the course of the series to win it.
5. Magic Johnson (1987)
Magic Johnson, arguably the best point guard in NBA history, led the Lakers to three MVPs and three Finals MVPs.
Johnson, on the other hand, won MVP and Finals MVP in the 1986-87 season. During the regular season, the Magic averaged 23.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 12.2 assists. Johnson led the Lakers to victory against the Celtics in the 1987 NBA Finals, averaging 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists.
6. Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
During his time with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, Michael Jordan earned six championships, six Finals MVPs, and five MVP Awards. Even more astounding is the fact that His Airness has won MVP and Finals MVP in four consecutive seasons.
In 1991, Jordan and the Bulls defeated Johnson and the Lakers to win their first championship. MJ won the MVP Award in 1990-91 after averaging 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists throughout the regular season. Jordan then won his first Finals MVP award with 31.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 11.4 assists.
Jordan won MVP the next season (1991-92), averaging 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. In the Finals, MJ and the Bulls defeated the Portland Trail Blazers to win Chicago’s second consecutive championship. Jordan put up a good fight.
7. Hakeem Olajuwon (19In-GameShaquille O’Neal (2000)
Hakeem Olajuwon was a monster in 1993-94. The Dream won MVP with an average of 27.3 points and 11.9 rebounds, but his task was far from done.
In the 1994 Finals, the Rockets defeated the Knicks in seven games, with Olajuwon getting the better of Patrick Ewing. Hakeem scored 26.9 points, grabbed 9.1 rebounds, and dished out 3.6 assists.
9. Tim Duncan (2003)
Tim Duncan was named MVP of the 2002-03 regular season after averaging 23.3 points and 12.9 rebounds.
Duncan then led the San Antonio Spurs to a six-game victory against the New Jersey Nets in the 2003 NBA Finals, averaging 24.2 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
10. LeBron James (2012, 2013)
In 2012 and 2013, LeBron James won two championships with the Miami Heat. He was also named MVIn-Gameinals MVP both years.
During the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, LeBron averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. In the 2012 Finals, the King scorched the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
James won MVP for the second consecutive season in 2012-13, averaging 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. In Game 6 of the 2013 Finals against the Spurs, the Heat needed a miraculous shot by Ray Allen to send the series to a seventh game, where LeBron simply took control.
In the seven-game series, James averaged 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.