The 2025 NBA Finals have arrived, featuring a showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers for the championship title. The Thunder advanced by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Pacers eliminated the New York Knicks. These outcomes mean 14 teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, highlighting numerous standout performances in the preceding rounds.
This article, the third such ranking this postseason, evaluates the top eight players based on their performance through the first three rounds, leading up to the start of the Finals in Oklahoma City.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 29.8 PTS | 6.9 AST | 5.7 REB | 1.6 STL
Oklahoma City has been the NBA`s premier team throughout the season, and Gilgeous-Alexander recently received the regular-season MVP award. His dominant performance in the playoffs now places him at the top of these rankings. In the Thunder`s five-game series win over the Timberwolves, he averaged 31.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander has surpassed the 30-point mark in 11 of his 16 playoff appearances, including all four wins in the Western Conference finals. Should the favored Thunder secure the NBA title, it`s widely expected that Gilgeous-Alexander will also earn the Finals MVP award, adding to his season`s accolades.
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 18.8 PTS | 9.8 AST | 5.7 REB | 1.4 STL
The upcoming clash between Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton represents the most compelling point guard matchup in the NBA Finals since the memorable battles between Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry during the Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers era (2015-2018).
For the Pacers to achieve an upset victory, Haliburton will need to replicate performances like his outstanding Game 4 against the Knicks in the conference finals. In that dominant win, which secured a 3-1 series lead for Indiana, he posted 32 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers.
The turnover battle will be a critical factor in the Finals. Oklahoma City`s defense, which was the league`s best this season, is highly effective at forcing turnovers, while Haliburton is recognized as one of the NBA`s elite point guards in preventing them.
3. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
2025 playoff stats (18 games): 29.4 PTS | 7.0 AST | 3.4 REB
Although Jalen Brunson`s defense posed challenges in the Knicks` series loss to Indiana and he had a sub-par Game 6 to conclude their season, his pivotal role in guiding the franchise to its most successful season in 25 years is undeniable. Brunson, this season`s NBA Clutch Player of the Year, averaged 30.7 points on over 50% shooting against the Pacers.
The fact that his overall performance was perceived by some as disappointing speaks volumes about the high level he has reached. His initial three years with the Knicks have already placed him among the top five players in franchise history, arguably trailing only Hall of Famers Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, and Walt Frazier. This is remarkable company for a former second-round pick who joined the team as a free agent.
4. Pascal Siakam, Pacers
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 21.1 PTS | 5.8 REB | 3.3 AST | 46.3 3P%
Pascal Siakam, the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, has seamlessly integrated into the Indiana Pacers since his arrival 18 months ago. He was instrumental in the team reaching the conference finals last year and now the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Siakam scored 30 points in three of the six games against the Knicks, averaging 24.8 for the series.
The strong connection and synergy between Haliburton and Siakam have been crucial to the Pacers developing into the potent offensive force seen over the past two seasons, particularly during their playoff pushes. However, maintaining this level of performance against the Thunder will represent Indiana`s most significant test yet.
5. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2025 playoff stats (14 games): 26.2 PTS | 12.7 REB | 8.0 AST | 2.0 STL
Nikola Jokic appears on this list despite the Denver Nuggets` exit in the second round. It`s worth noting that the Nuggets had the Thunder in a precarious position in Game 5 of the conference semifinals, holding an eight-point lead after three quarters in Oklahoma City and seeming poised to push OKC to the brink of elimination for a second consecutive year.
Although they ultimately didn`t succeed, Jokic`s exceptional play challenged the Thunder significantly in what might be the toughest test they face en route to the title. This performance, combined with Jokic`s consistently impressive statistics, justifies his high ranking even after his team`s early departure compared to the finalists.
6. Jalen Williams, Thunder
2025 playoff stats (16 games): 20.4 PTS | 5.8 REB | 5.3 AST | 1.6 STL
Jalen Williams faced difficulties during significant parts of Oklahoma City`s second-round series win against Denver. However, he bounced back strongly in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.0 steals, while shooting nearly 50% overall and 46.2% from three-point range.
A key question mark surrounding Oklahoma City`s championship aspirations throughout the season was whether Williams could consistently perform as the reliable second scoring option alongside Gilgeous-Alexander. While he has had some inconsistent moments in these playoffs, his performance, notably a career-best 34 points in Game 4 against Minnesota that helped secure a 3-1 series lead, indicates he is developing into that crucial role just as the Thunder enter their championship contention window.
7. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
2025 playoff stats (15 games): 25.3 PTS | 7.8 REB | 5.5 AST
Throughout the Western Conference Finals, Oklahoma City demonstrated significant defensive attention towards Anthony Edwards, frequently sending multiple defenders his way to compel him to pass and force his teammates to score. This strategy resulted in Edwards scoring fewer than 20 points in three of the five games, a contrast to the first two rounds where this occurred only once.
Despite this, Edwards successfully leading the Timberwolves to consecutive conference finals appearances, after the franchise had only achieved one series win prior to this run, is a remarkable achievement. The future challenge for both Edwards and the Timberwolves is determining how to bridge the gap and eventually overtake the Thunder, who appear poised to be a dominant force in the Western Conference for years ahead.
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
2025 playoff stats (18 games): 21.4 PTS | 11.6 REB | 1.3 AST
Similar to Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns compiled impressive statistics in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 24.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game with 50% overall shooting and 36.7% from beyond the arc. However, also like Brunson, Towns encountered difficulties defensively and with foul issues, which Indiana capitalized on throughout the series to eliminate New York and prevent the Knicks from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
Despite the playoff exit, Towns` debut season in New York should be considered a success. He achieved All-NBA honors and made his fifth All-Star appearance while helping the Knicks advance to the conference finals for the first time in a quarter-century. For future success, improvements are needed in his defense, and the Knicks must strengthen the roster surrounding him and Brunson.
