How is an MVP selected? Exploring selection process of the NBA Finals MVP voting method

As the 2025 NBA season is inching closer towards its end with Game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 22 at Paycom Center, located in Oklahoma City. With every NBA season, the speculation around the selection of the Most Valuable Player becomes the hotbed of discussion amongst analysts, insiders, and even fans.

The MVP title dates back to the late 1960s, and since then a long list of talented players have left behind an unmatched legacy in the NBA world.

Everything you need to know about the MVP selection process

As the nail-biting game between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder went on to move forward with Game 7, the discussion around NBA Finals MVP has taken center stage on podcasts and interviews. From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Los Angeles Lakers’ talented athlete Luka Dončić, reputed NBA stars are in the race for the 2025 MVP.

NBA Finals MVP selection and voting process

The MVP selection process involves 100 individuals from different walks of life, including broadcasting, digital, and print media based in the United States and Canada, who possess a great knowledge of the game to decide the NBA MVP. The decision panel is usually selected ahead of the NBA series every year. The panel members cast votes for only 5 athletes with great scores during the initial stages of the MVP selection.

An odd number of players are selected in order to avoid any tie during the MVP decision, and the highest number of votes secured by the player is selected. However, the names of the members of the decision-making panel are revealed after the final game of the NBA series. The criteria based on which a basketball athlete is selected are that he should have played in at least 65 games of the particular NBA season. The selected players are given positions by each panelist based on their individualistic statistics, overall impact on the NBA club, and contribution towards the team.

Based on the recent buzz around the 2025 MVP, OKC Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic, and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic are in the race to clinch the coveted title of this season.Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is set to appear in LeBron James’ and Steve Nash's podcast Mind The Game