The MVP race is often the story of the season’s most exciting storylines. Some of the most memorable MVP races are defined by head-to-head showdowns where two players put up historic seasons and cause controversy on who truly deserves the coveted trophy.
Whether it’s LeBron James facing off with Kobe Bryant in 2009 or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic going toe-to-toe in 2025, these MVP battles define eras of basketball.Â
In this article, we’ll look at 10 of the most talented, high-stakes MVP races in NBA history.
1. 2008-09 MVP Race
LeBron James: 28.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Kobe Bryant: 26.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
This MVP race was a passing of the torch. Kobe Bryant was coming off an NBA championship and remained the league’s most feared closer, but LeBron James had fully arrived as the game’s most dominant force. Leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an astounding 66-16 record, LeBron’s all-around game reached another level.
LeBron captured his first MVP award in dominant fashion, securing 109 of the 121 first-place votes (for a total of 1,172 out of 1,210 MVP points), while Kobe finished second with just two first-place votes and 698 points). The numbers alone made the case for LeBron, but the way he lifted an otherwise unspectacular Cavs roster to the NBA’s best record solidified him as the league’s new regular-season king. Â
Winner: LeBron James
2. 2015-16 MVP Race
Stephen Curry: 30.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG
LeBron James: 25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
This MVP race was revolutionary. Stephen Curry’s 2015-16 campaign wasn’t just the best of his career, it was one of the greatest offensive seasons in NBA history. Leading the Warriors to an NBA-record 73-9 season, Curry became the league’s first-ever unanimous MVP, redefining what was possible from beyond the arc with an absurd 402 three-pointers made.
His offensive efficiency was otherworldly, finishing the season with a 50-40-90 shooting split. LeBron James was still the game’s most complete player, but Curry’s impact and cultural shift made this race a no-brainer.
LeBron had another stellar season, keeping the Cavaliers among the NBA’s elite, but the regular season belonged to Curry. He secured all 131 first-place votes, making him the first and only player to ever win MVP unanimously.
While the season ended in heartbreak for Golden State after blowing a 3-1 lead in the Finals to LeBron’s Cavs, this MVP race left no doubt—Curry had changed the game forever.
Winner: Stephen Curry
3. 1989-90 MVP Race
Magic Johnson: 22.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 11.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Charles Barkley: 25.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG
This was one of the most debated MVP races in NBA history. Magic Johnson, already a two-time MVP, had another masterful season leading the Lakers to a 63-19 record. His all-around game and leadership made him the safe pick, but Charles Barkley had a legitimate case.
Barkley put up superior individual numbers and was a wrecking ball on both ends, finishing the season with a higher Player Efficiency Rating (27.1 vs. 26.6) and Win Shares (17.3 vs. 16.5) than Magic. But with the 76ers only winning 53 games, team success ultimately swung the vote in Magic’s favor.
In one of the closest MVP races ever, Magic secured 636 total points with 27 first-place votes, while Barkley finished just behind with 614 points and 38 first-place votes. It remains one of the most controversial outcomes, with many believing Barkley was more deserving because he earned more first-place votes but fewer voting points overall.Â
Winner: Magic Johnson
4. 1997-98 MVP Race
Michael Jordan: 28.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Karl Malone: 27.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG
The 1997-98 season was the last dance for Michael Jordan, and he played like a man determined to leave no doubt about his greatness. At 35 years old, Jordan led the league in scoring for the 10th time and willed the Bulls to the NBA’s best record (62-20).Â
His leadership, late-game dominance, and defensive impact made his case undeniable. Karl Malone, coming off his 1997 MVP win, had another elite season and put up comparable numbers, but his Utah Jazz fell short of Chicago’s success.
The MVP vote wasn’t particularly close. Jordan won his fifth and final MVP, securing 92 first-place votes (1,084 points out of 1,160) to Malone’s 20 (842 total points). It was a fitting final regular-season accolade for Jordan, as he would go on to cap his Bulls career with a sixth NBA championship and another Finals MVP. Malone may have been an all-time great, but this season belonged to MJ.
Winner: Michael Jordan
5. 2019-20 MVP Race
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
LeBron James: 25.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG
This race was a clash between pure statistical dominance and all-time longevity. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning MVP, elevated his game to another level in 2019-20, leading the Bucks to the league’s best record (56-17) while averaging a staggering 29-13-5 in just 30.4 minutes per game.Â
His defensive versatility also made him the Defensive Player of the Year, making him just the third player ever to win MVP and DPOY in the same season. LeBron James, in his 17th season, led the league in assists (10.2) for the first time and guided the Lakers to the No. 1 seed in the West.
Despite LeBron’s brilliance, the voting wasn’t close. Giannis claimed his second straight MVP with 85 first-place votes (962 out of 1,010 points), while LeBron finished with 16 first-place votes with 753 points. Though LeBron would go on to win his fourth championship and Finals MVP in the Orlando bubble, Giannis had clearly established himself as the regular-season phenom.
Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo
6. 2017-18 MVP Race
James Harden: 30.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 8.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.7 BPG
LeBron James: 27.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 BPG
James Harden had been knocking on the MVP door for years, and in 2017-18, he finally kicked it open. Leading the Houston Rockets to an NBA-best 65-17 record, Harden was an offensive juggernaut, averaging over 30 points while orchestrating one of the most lethal offenses in NBA history.Â
LeBron James, in his 15th season, had one of his most complete years, playing all 82 games and carrying a flawed Cavaliers roster to 50 wins and the 4th seed in the East. His dominance, particularly in the second half of the season, made the race intriguing.
But Harden had built too strong of a case. He won the MVP convincingly, earning 86 first-place votes (965 points) to LeBron’s 15 (738 points). While LeBron may have been the better overall player, this was Harden’s moment.
Winner: James Harden
7. 2024-25 MVP Race
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Nikola Jokic: 29.3 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 10.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG
This race is still playing out, but it’s shaping up to be one of the best MVP duels in recent memory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has exploded as the league’s leading scorer, blending elite efficiency with a smooth mid-range game and relentless rim attacks while holding the best record in the West.Â
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic continues to redefine what’s possible for a big man, posting a triple-double average while making the Nuggets a title favorite despite the team lacking a strong depth chart behind the starters.Â
The battle between raw scoring brilliance and all-around mastery is setting up an MVP debate for the ages. Will SGA’s scoring fireworks be enough to dethrone the ever-consistent Jokic? The final stretch of the season will determine everything.
Winner: TBD
8. 2002-03 MVP Race
Tim Duncan: 23.3 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.9 BPG
Kevin Garnett: 23.0 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.6 BPG
This was a battle of the league’s two best power forwards in their prime. Tim Duncan, the reigning MVP, was a steady force on both ends, leading the Spurs to 60 wins. Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett had his best statistical season yet, showcasing an unparalleled mix of scoring, rebounding, and passing.Â
However, Garnett’s Timberwolves won just 51 games, which ultimately hurt his chances. Duncan secured back-to-back MVPs with 60 first-place votes (962 points out of 1,290) while Garnett finished second with 43 first-place votes and 871 points. The dominance of both players set the stage for their legendary Western Conference rivalry in the years to come.
Winner: Tim Duncan
9. 2014-15 MVP Race
Stephen Curry: 23.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.7 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
James Harden: 27.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG
The 2014-15 MVP race wasn’t just about numbers—it was about influence. Stephen Curry was at the heart of the Warriors’ 67-win season, revolutionizing the game with his three-point shooting and off-ball movement. James Harden, meanwhile, carried a Houston Rockets team missing Dwight Howard for half the season (41 games), leading them to 56 wins while putting up monster scoring and assist numbers.
Harden’s case was strong, but Curry’s impact on winning, combined with Golden State’s historic dominance, made him the clear choice. Curry took home his first MVP with 100 first-place votes, while Harden finished second with 25. This race was just the beginning of a new era, as Curry’s Warriors would go on to shape the next decade of basketball.
Winner: Stephen Curry
10. 1998-99 MVP Race
Karl Malone: 23.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Tim Duncan: 21.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.5 BPG
The 1998-99 MVP race came during a lockout-shortened 50-game season, but that didn’t stop Karl Malone and Tim Duncan from delivering elite performances. Malone, at age 35, proved he still had plenty left in the tank, leading Utah to the third seed in the West.Â
Duncan, in just his second season, anchored the best defense in the NBA and showed why he was the future of the league bedcase the Spurs held the best record in the West. In the end, the voters leaned toward experience.Â
Malone edged out Duncan with 44 first-place votes to Duncan’s 36, becoming the oldest MVP in NBA history at the time. Duncan, however, would get the last laugh, leading the Spurs to their first championship that season and beginning one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.
Winner: Karl Malone
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