About this Episode
"In this episode of Podcasty NBA, hosts Niko and Stella break down the latest playoff MVP rankings following thrilling conference semifinals action where Oklahoma City Thunder advanced alongside New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. They analyze standout performances by Jalen Brunson's clutch heroics for New York; Nikola Jokic's dominant yet unsupported efforts for Denver; Anthony Edwards' sharpshooting resurgence; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late surge for OKC; plus insights on Tyrese Haliburton’s breakout play for Indiana and Julius Randle’s improved postseason form for Minnesota. Drawing from Chris Herring’s May 19 ESPN article "NBA playoffs 2025: Which star leads our postseason MVP update?", they explore how these players shape their teams’ championship paths."
Article Discussed: "NBA playoffs 2025: Which star leads our postseason MVP update?"
Author: Chris Herring
This podcast was generated by AI using Podcasty.
Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome back to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into the latest playoff MVP rankings after some intense conference semifinals action. The Oklahoma City Thunder just dominated the Denver Nuggets in a thrilling Game 7, joining the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves in the final four.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. This update really sheds light on the standout performers who have shaped the postseason so far. We're looking at eight players whose playoff performances have been exceptional through two unpredictable rounds, with detailed stats and narratives for each.
Niko: Starting at number one is Jalen Brunson from the Knicks. Through 12 games, he's averaging nearly 29 points, almost 8 assists, and close to 4 rebounds. After closing out Detroit with a clutch step-back three-pointer, he led New York past the defending champs Boston Celtics. Notably, he was clutch in late-game comebacks during Games 1, 2, and 4 of that series.
Stella: Right, and Brunson's poised to face the Pacers next — a team that eliminated them last year in the conference semis. His regular-season averages against Indiana were impressive too: nearly 30 points and six assists per game. Plus, as the league's Clutch Player of the Year, he's already made 14 clutch baskets this postseason — almost double Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's total.
Niko: Speaking of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he ranks fourth on this list after an up-and-down playoff run with OKC. He struggled early but finished strong against Denver with big scoring outputs — shooting over 50% in Games 5 through 7 and putting up over 30 points in each of those games. Despite his efficiency issues in round one, he's clearly a key factor moving forward.
Stella: And then there's Nikola Jokic of Denver at number two. Despite his team's elimination and limited support from key teammates like Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray during crucial moments, Jokic delivered some historic performances — including a staggering Game 5 where he scored 44 points with 22 rebounds on just 25 shots. Even though he had some rough shooting nights from deep during that series, his overall impact remains undeniable.
Niko: Let's not forget Anthony Edwards from Minnesota at number three. After a shaky start against Los Angeles Lakers in round one, he bounced back spectacularly against Golden State — shooting nearly 44% from three on almost nine attempts per game during the semifinals. Plus, Edwards has shown great playmaking ability with eight assists in one clinching game and twelve in another.
Stella: True! And Julius Randle also deserves mention at number six for Minnesota; he's been fantastic this postseason compared to earlier years when he struggled mightily. Now shooting over 50%, averaging nearly 24 points and almost six assists per game while looking comfortable facilitating offense—something that could be crucial if OKC tries to shut down Edwards.
Niko: To sum it up then: we have Brunson leading with clutch performances; Jokic showing brilliance despite limited help; Edwards emerging as both scorer and facilitator; SGA heating up late; Haliburton stepping up for Indiana; Randle improving drastically; Mitchell battling injuries but still scoring high; and Giannis dominating early rounds but limited by fewer games played.
Stella: Exactly. These rankings highlight how individual excellence combines with team dynamics during playoffs — clutch moments matter just as much as consistent stats across rounds. It'll be fascinating to see how these players perform moving forward as their teams vie for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Thanks for tuning into Podcasty NBA!
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