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NBA Reveals Surprising Results From Eastern Conference Finals MVP Voting

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 12:41 AM ET

The 2025 NBA Finals matchup is set. The Indiana Pacers, after eliminating the New York Knicks, will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA championship. The Pacers beat the Knicks 125-108 on Saturday night to close out the Knicks in six games.

The Pacers now find themselves in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. The Pacers went deep into their bench, seeing 14 different players grace the court in this year's Eastern Conference finals.

While many contributed significant minutes against the Knicks, none were more valuable than the minutes played by Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton.

Siakam averaged 24.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, including three 30-point performances.

Haliburton averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game, including a historic performance in Game 4.

Either Pacers player could have been named the Eastern Conference finals MVP, however, Siakam, took home the award. Following the somewhat surprising announcement, the NBA revealed the votes, showing just how close this decision was.

Pascal Siakam received five of the nine votes for Eastern Conference Finals MVP from a media panel covering the series. Tyrese Haliburton received the other four votes. pic.twitter.com/ZdpvJsRaTf
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 1, 2025

As per NBA Communications on X (@NBAPR), of the nine media panel members who had a vote for covering this series, Siakam edged out his point guard five votes to four.

The five media members who voted for Siakam were Tim Bontemps (ESPN.com), Dustin Dopirak (Indianapolis Star), Katie George (ESPN Radio), Fred Katz (The Athletic), and Steve Popper (Newsday).

The four media members who voted for Haliburton were Steve Aschburner (NBA.com), Jamal Collier (ESPN.com), Reggie Miller (TNT), and Joe Vardon (The Athletic).

Regardless of who took home the hardware as the Eastern Conference finals MVP, the Pacers will shift their focus to the Thunder and winning their first NBA championship in franchise history.

In order for the Pacers to take down the NBA's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Thunder, the Pacers will assuredly need healthy contributions from Siakam and Haliburton.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals will tip-off on Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.

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

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