After the first two games, the Finals MVP is still very much up in the air. This is because there have been some incredible performances, especially by the Celtics. Boston’s best player has been the subject of heated debate because there are so many quality options to choose from.
Dallas hasn’t put together the same level of performance, which explains why they’re down 0-2 in the series. Luka Doncic has been incredible. His colleagues, not so much.
These are the top contenders for Finals MVP if the award were awarded today.
2024 NBA Finals MVP rankings
1. Holiday Jrue
Averages: 19.0 PTS, 9.5 REB, 4.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.5 BLK, 65.2% FG, 44.4% 3PT
Kyrie Irving is not on this list and Holiday is a big reason why. He has completely eliminated Dallas’ second star, limiting Irving to a paltry 35.1 percent shooting from the field. Holiday made his sixth all-defensive team this season and is showing why he was worth that pick in these Finals.
What makes Holiday great is his two-way game. He is the third-leading scorer in the Finals and one of the few players on both teams who has been able to reliably hit three-pointers. This should not be a surprise given that He made a ridiculous 61.9 percent of his three-pointers in the corners during the regular season. He has also been a force at the rim, cutting for smart layups and converting loose passes.
Holiday’s imprint is all over the game. She had the most impressive sequence of the Finals late in Game 2 to give the Celtics a lead too big to waste.
The holidays were everywhere during this stretch. pic.twitter.com/xpKQSRDKTV
—Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 10, 2024
2. Jaylen Brown
Averages: 21.5 points, 5.0 REB, 4.5 AST, 3.0 STL, 1.5 BLK, 55.6% FG
Maybe Jason Kidd was right. Brown wasn’t Boston’s best player during the regular season, but either he or Holiday have had the better performances entering the Finals.
The Eastern Conference Finals MVP has continued his strong play, attacking Luka Doncic every time that matchup comes up and getting to the rim at will. His drive has become a signature shot and he has learned when to slow down and use his craft over his athleticism.
Brown has played by far the best defense of his career this season and has been at his best in these Finals. He has been flying for weak side blocks and has been the primary player on Doncic, helping ensure that he doesn’t go for crazy numbers.
3. Kristaps Porzingis
Averages: 16.0 PTS, 5.0 REB, 2.5 BLK, 0.5 AST, 60.0 FG%
Porzingis has only played 21.9 minutes per game, coming off the bench as he regains his conditioning. When it signed up, it was an absolute game changer. His first stint in Game 1 put the game out of Dallas’ reach and set the tone for the rest of the Finals.
Kristaps Porzingis was everywhere in that first quarter. Crazy two-way game. The C’s looked like a totally different team than what we have seen in these playoffs. pic.twitter.com/UCpnJvjuSz
—Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 7, 2024
Porzingis has yet to find his rhythm from 3-point range, but his post-ups have been a nightmare for Dallas. He has abused smaller defenders, launching 15-foot jumpers right over them or drawing fouls.
The big man’s defense has been as impactful as his offense. He has been a shot-blocking machine, altering layups and attacking players foolish enough to challenge him on fast breaks. (I’m looking at you, jose green and Maxi Kleber). The Celtics better hope the injury he suffered late in Game 2 isn’t a big deal because he’s been enormously valuable to them.
4. Jayson Tatum
Averages: 17.0 points, 10.0 REB, 8.5 AST, 0.5 BLK, 0.5 STL, 31.6% FG
Some will see this placement as a snub against Tatum. It’s more a reflection of how well his teammates have played. It hasn’t been as bad as his enemies have suggested. He has increased his drives to the basket, helped his teammates get a ton of assists, and played great defense.
However, the scoreboard has not been there. His efficiency has been terrible and he has been making (and missing) too many threes. His shooting should eventually start to fall, but even if they don’t, he is such a well-rounded player that he will continue to provide whatever the team needs.
5. Luka Doncic
Averages: 31.0 points, 10.5 REB, 6.0 AST, 3.0 STL, 51.1% FG
Doncic would be number one on this list if the Mavs were up 2-0. Since they have a sizable deficit in this series, it’s fair to put the best Celtics ahead of him. He has been the best player in the Finals, but this will not be a Jerry West situation.
Doncic scored a lot of goals in Game 1, but was only able to provide one assist. He rectified that in Game 2, posting a triple-double of 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He has been a brilliant shooter, taking difficult looks and taking turns attacking different Celtic defenders. His passing has been outstanding as always, but his teammates haven’t helped him much with his open three-point shooting.
The only area that has been a little disappointing has been Doncic’s individual defense. He hasn’t offered much resistance. That was a big area of improvement for him in previous rounds and may be a sign that his nagging injuries are starting to pile up.
6. Derrick White
Averages: 16.5 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.5 AST, 2.0 STL, 1.0 BLK, 42.3% FG, 38.9% 3PT
White has been a rock for the Celtics all season. That has continued until the finals. He has made open 3-pointers, made accurate passes and played exceptional defense. Some of his blocks have been astonishing, none more so than the controversial one at the end of Game 2.
Holy God pic.twitter.com/bVFJas63da
—Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 10, 2024
Did White foul PJ Washington on that play? I don’t know and I don’t care. It was an instantly iconic moment that will be remembered throughout Celtics history.
White is not going to win this prize. But he’s making a case as the best glue the league has.
