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NBA MVPs: Complete list of winners
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

NBA MVPs: Complete list of winners

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Scott Boeck  |  Last updated Nov 18, 2025 10:59 AM ET

While the NBA dates back to 1946, the Most Valuable Player award wasn’t handed out until the 1955-56 season.

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won the award a record six times. And he’s also the only player to win it despite his team (Los Angeles Lakers) not making the playoffs in 1975–76. 

Seven international players — including all four MVP award winners since 2019 – have captured the award a combined 11 times — Hakeem Olajuwon (1) of Nigeria, Steve Nash (2) of Canada, Dirk Nowitzki (1) of Germany, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2) of Greece, Nikola Jokić (3) of Serbia, Joel Embiid (1) of Cameroon, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1) of Canada. (Tim Duncan of the U.S. Virgin Islands also won the award twice.)

James Harden (2018) was the last American-born player to win the award.

How many MVPs have double-dipped, winning the regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season? Ten, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2024-25 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

During the 2022-23 season, the NBA named the award after Michael Jordan.

NBA MVPs Year by Year

2024-25 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

  • Statistics: 32.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.4 APG, .519 FG%

2023-24 – Nikola Jokić, Nuggets

  • Statistics: 26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 9.0 APG, .583 FG%

2022-23 – Joel Embiid, 76ers 

  • Statistics: 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, .548 FG%

2021-22 – Nikola Jokić, Nuggets

  • Statistics: 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, .583 FG%

2020-21 – Nikola Jokić, Nuggets

  • Statistics: 26.4 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 8.3 APG, .566 FG%

2019-20 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

  • Statistics: 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, .553 FG%

2018-19 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

  • Statistics: 27.7 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, .578 FG%

2017-18 – James Harden, Rockets

  • Statistics: 30.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 8.8 APG, .449 FG%

2016-17 – Russell Westbrook, Thunder

  • Statistics: 31.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 10.4 APG, .425 FG%

2015-16 – Stephen Curry, Warriors 

  • Statistics: 30.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.7 APG, .504 FG%

2014-15 – Stephen Curry, Warriors

  • Statistics: 23.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.7 APG, .487 FG%

2013-14 – Kevin Durant, Thunder

  • Statistics: 32.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.5 APG, .503 FG%

2012-13 – LeBron James, Heat

  • Statistics: 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, .565 FG%

2011-12 – LeBron James, Heat

  • Statistics: 27.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, .531 .362 .771

2010-11 – Derrick Rose, Bulls

  • Statistics: 25.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.7 APG, .445 FG%

2009-10 – LeBron James, Cavaliers

  • Statistics: 29.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.6 APG, .503 FG%

2008-09 – LeBron James, Cavaliers

  • Statistics: 28.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, .489 FG%

2007-08 – Kobe Bryant, Lakers

  • Statistics: 28.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, .459 FG%

2006-07 – Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks 

  • Statistics: 24.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, .502 FG%

2005-06 – Steve Nash, Suns

  • Statistics: 18.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 10.5 APG, .512 FG%

2004-05 – Steve Nash, Suns

  • Statistics: 15.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 11.5 APG, .502 FG%

2003-04 – Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves

  • Statistics: 24.2 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, .499 FG%

2002-03 – Tim Duncan, Spurs

  • Statistics: 23.3 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, .513 FG%

2001-02 – Tim Duncan, Spurs

  • Statistics: 25.5 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, .508 FG%

2000-01 – Allen Iverson, 76ers 

  • Statistics: 31.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, .420 FG%

1999-00 – Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 

  • Statistics: 29.7 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, .574 FG%

1998-99 – Karl Malone, Jazz 

  • Statistics: 23.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, .493 FG%

1997-98 – Michael Jordan, Bulls

  • Statistics: 28.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, .465 FG%

1996-97 – Karl Malone, Jazz

  • Statistics: 27.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.5 APG, .550 FG%

1995-96 – Michael Jordan, Bulls

  • Statistics: 30.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, .495 FG%

1994-95 – David Robinson, Spurs 

  • Statistics: 27.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, .530 FG%

1993-94 – Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets 

  • Statistics: 27.3 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, .528 FG%

1992-93 – Charles Barkley, Suns

  • Statistics: 25.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 5.1 APG, .520 FG%

1991-92 – Michael Jordan, Bulls

  • Statistics: 30.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 6.1 APG, .519 FG%

1990-91 – Michael Jordan, Bulls 

  • Statistics: 31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, .539 FG%

1989-90 – Magic Johnson, Lakers

  • Statistics: 22.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 11.5 APG, .480 FG%

1988-89 – Magic Johnson, Lakers

  • Statistics: 22.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 12.8 APG, .509 FG%

1987-88 – Michael Jordan, Bulls 

  • Statistics: 35.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, .535 FG%

1986-87 – Magic Johnson, Lakers 

  • Statistics: 23.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 12.2 APG, .522 FG%

1985-86 – Larry Bird, Celtics 

  • Statistics: 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, .496 FG%

1984-85 – Larry Bird, Celtics 

  • Statistics: 28.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, .522 FG%

1983-84 – Larry Bird, Celtics 

  • Statistics: 24.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, .492 FG%

1982-83 – Moses Malone, 76ers

  • Statistics: 24.5 PPG, 15.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, .501 FG%

1981-82 – Moses Malone, Rockets 

  • Statistics: 31.1 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, .519 FG%

1980-81 – Julius Erving, 76ers

  • Statistics: 24.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, .521 FG%

1979-80 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers 

  • Statistics: 24.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, .604 FG%

1978-79 – Moses Malone, Rockets 

  • Statistics: 24.8 PPG, 17.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, .540 FG%

1977-78 – Bill Walton, Trail Blazers

  • Statistics: 18.9 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, .522 FG%

1976-77 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers

  • Statistics: 26.2 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, .579 FG%

1975-76 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers

  • Statistics: 27.7 PPG, 16.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, .529 FG%

1974-75 – Bob McAdoo, Buffalo Braves

  • Statistics: 34.5 PPG, 14.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, .512 FG%

1973-74 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bucks 

  • Statistics: 27.0 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, .539 FG%

1972-73 – Dave Cowens, Celtics

  • Statistics: 20.5 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, .452 FG%

1971-72 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bucks

  • Statistics: 34.8 PPG, 16.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, .574 FG%

1970-71 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bucks

  • Statistics: 31.7 PPG, 16.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, .577 FG%

1969-70 – Willis Reed, Knicks

  • Statistics: 21.7 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, .507 FG%

1968-69 – Wes Unseld, Baltimore Bullets

  • Statistics: 13.8 PPG, 18.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, .476 FG%

1967-68 – Wilt Chamberlain, 76ers

  • Statistics: 24.3 PPG, 23.8 RPG, 8.6 APG, .595 FG%

1966-67 – Wilt Chamberlain, 76ers

  • Statistics: 24.1 PPG, 24.2 RPG, 7.8 APG, .683 FG%

1965-66 – Wilt Chamberlain, 76ers

  • Statistics: 33.5 PPG, 24.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, .540 FG%

1964-65 – Bill Russell, Celtics

  • Statistics: 14.1 PPG, 24.1 RPG, 5.3 APG, .438 FG%

1963-64 – Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals

  • Statistics: 31.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 11.0 APG, .483 FG%

1962-63 – Bill Russell, Celtics

  • Statistics: 16.8 PPG, 23.6 RPG, 4.5 APG, .432 FG%

1961-62 – Bill Russell, Celtics

  • Statistics: 18.9 PPG, 23.6 RPG, 4.5 APG, .457 FG%

1960-61 – Bill Russell, Celtics

  • Statistics: 16.9 PPG, 23.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, .426 FG%

1959-60 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors

  • Statistics: 37.6 PPG, 27.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, .461 FG%

1958-59 – Bob Pettit, St. Louis Hawks

  • Statistics: 29.2 PPG, 16.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, .438 FG%

1957-58 – Bill Russell, Celtics

  • Statistics: 16.6 PPG, 22.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, .442 FG%

1956-57 – Bob Cousy, Celtics 

  • Statistics: 20.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.5 APG, .378 FG%

1955-56 – Bob Pettit, St. Louis Hawks

  • Statistics: 25.7 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, .429 FG%

Most NBA MVP awards

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won the most NBA MVP awards with six, followed by Michael Jordan and Bill Russell five apiece. Players with multiple MVP awards:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar –  6

  • 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980

Michael Jordan – 5

  • 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998

Bill Russell – 5

  • 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965

Wilt Chamberlain – 4

  • 1960, 1966, 1967, 1968

LeBron James – 4

  • 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013

Larry Bird – 3

  • 1984, 1985, 1986

Magic Johnson – 3

  • 1987, 1989, 1990

Nikola Jokić – 3

  • 2021, 2022, 2023

Moses Malone – 3

  • 1979, 1982, 1983

Giannis Antetokounmpo – 2

  • 2019, 2020

Stephen Curry – 2

  • 2015, 2016

Tim Duncan – 2

  • 2002, 2003

Karl Malone – 2

  • 1997, 1999

Steve Nash – 2

  • 2005, 2006

Bob Pettit – 2

  • 1956, 1959

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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