NBA Finals MVP Ladder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Takes Command of the Race After Game 2
With OKC evening the series, SGA vaults into pole position, while Haliburton slips and Caruso surges into the spotlight.
Two games into the 2025 NBA Finals, the scoreboard may read 1-1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers — but the Finals MVP race feels far less balanced.
Right now, it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s award to lose.
OKC’s superstar guard has been a model of consistency and dominance, averaging 36 points per game and carving up Indiana with poise, craft, and control. His Game 2 masterclass — a 34-point performance with eight assists and relentless efficiency — firmly pushed him to the top of the Finals MVP Ladder.
Here’s a look at the top five contenders heading into Game 3:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Stats: 36.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.5 APG
Why he’s No. 1:
SGA has been surgical. In two games, he’s scored a Finals-record 72 points for a debutant and made it look effortless. He’s torching defenders in isolation, getting to his midrange spots, hitting clutch threes, and creating for teammates when the defense swarms. The most impressive part? He’s doing it without forcing the issue — everything flows naturally from his calm command of the offense.
He’s also held his own defensively and hasn’t let the moment change his style. If OKC wins the title, it’s hard to imagine this award going to anyone else.
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Stats: 15.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6.0 APG
Why he’s still in the mix:
Haliburton’s Game 1 heroics — including the game-winning shot — keep him in contention. But Game 2 was a step backward. He disappeared for long stretches and didn’t assert himself until the fourth quarter, when the game was already slipping away. He remains Indiana’s engine, but for him to seriously challenge SGA, he’ll need to put together a complete game soon — and likely lead the Pacers to at least one more win.
3. Alex Caruso, Thunder
Stats: 15.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 41.7% 3PT
Why he’s rising:
Caruso is thriving in his role as OKC’s two-way sparkplug. In Game 2, he exploded for 20 points, hitting four threes and applying his usual pressure on defense. He may not have the star billing of others on this list, but he’s been a difference-maker. If he keeps hitting shots and being a defensive menace, don’t be shocked if he sneaks into real MVP consideration — especially if OKC’s wins are team-wide efforts.
4. Jalen Williams, Thunder
Stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.5 APG
Why he’s here:
Williams is filling the “Robin” role admirably for OKC, showing flashes of brilliance. His playmaking has added another layer to the Thunder offense, and his defense against Pascal Siakam has been more than serviceable. The only knock is inconsistency — he’s made some hurried decisions and had trouble staying poised for all 48 minutes. Still, his impact is undeniable when he’s locked in.
5. Pascal Siakam, Pacers
Stats: 17.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.5 APG
Why he’s holding on:
Siakam has been Indiana’s most assertive scorer across both games, constantly pressuring OKC’s defense and drawing double teams. However, the Thunder started to crack the code in Game 2, limiting him to just 3-of-11 shooting. If he can regain rhythm in Indiana and adjust to the defensive schemes being thrown his way, he has the motor and résumé to climb this list quickly.
Honorable Mention:
Myles Turner – quietly putting together a strong series with shot-blocking and floor-spacing, but still waiting for a signature game to break into the top five.
Bottom Line:
Unless the Pacers win this series or Haliburton levels up, it’s becoming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Finals, narrative, and moment. The Thunder will need two more wins, but their MVP may already be making history — one smooth jumper at a time.
