NBA Finals MVP Odds 2025: Is Jalen Williams the Best Bet?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one game away from winning the NBA Finals for the first time since 1979 - when they were known as the Seattle Supersonics. They are now -1600 favorites to clinch the title, according to the latest NBA Finals odds.
One of the main reasons? The play from Jalen Williams, who's fresh off a 40-point Game 5 and is now sitting at +700 to win NBA Finals MVP, supplanting Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. But can he do enough down the stretch to snatch the award from favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Let's build our case.
📊 Live 2025 NBA Finals MVP odds
Gilgeous-Alexander is a resounding -550 favorite to take home the NBA Finals MVP, but Jalen Williams is a sneaky sleeper play due to his versatile offensive bag and ability to lock down the Pacers on the defensive end.
🔥 Williams' offensive versatility
Death by a thousand Jalen Williams cuts - at least that's how the Pacers feel in the NBA Finals. Simply no player has had better off-ball movement in this series than Williams, who's constantly looking at ways to get open for his teammates, stay aggressive, and attack the rim.
Left-hand scoop off the glass? He's got it. Fadeaway jumpers? He's got it. Balance in the paint? Yea, he's got that, too.
His offensive bag is the reason why he's averaging 25.8 PPG this series. The versatility with which he attacks is difficult to defend. Williams is playing his best basketball, and it's coming at the best time possible. He's just the fifth player over the last 40 seasons to drop three straight 25-plus-point games in the NBA Finals before the age of 25.
The other players on that list? Kyrie Irving (2016), Kevin Durant (2012), Dwyane Wade (2006), Shaquille O'Neal (1995) - not bad company to be in.
| Game | Points (PTS) | Rebounds (REB) | Assists (AST) | Field goals (FG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 40 | 6 | 4 | 14/25 |
| 4 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 8/18 |
| 3 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 9/18 |
He's just the second player in Thunder history (Russell Westbrook) to score 40 in an NBA Finals game, too, going an efficient 9-of-16 on shots in the paint area. In both Game 4 and Game 5, Williams also led all players in usage rate (32.8).
It all started when the Thunder were down 2-1 in the series; they're now one win away from claiming the championship. If that's not clutch, then the word has lost its meaning.
Williams has done a fantastic job of relieving some of the pressure off Gilgeous-Alexander, who's seen constant double- and triple-teams. He's taken on point-guard duties in late-game situations and has consistently come up with big baskets when the Thunder need them most.
When the Pacers trimmed the lead to just two points in the fourth quarter of Game 5, it was Williams who hit the big 3-pointer to put them ahead by five - the Thunder went on to outscore Indiana 25-16 the rest of the way.
🛑Defensive impact
Away from scoring, Williams is making a case as the best on-ball defender on the court. He's held guys like Aaron Nesmith, Tyrese Haliburton, and Obi Toppin to sub-40% shooting in the NBA Finals.
Just look at Haliburton's numbers in Game 5: the growing superstar was held to four points on 0-for-6 shooting from the field by Williams, the type of defending that goes far beyond the box score; the type of defending that wins championships (and potentially MVPs).
While SGA remains the favorite, if Williams can somehow duplicate his recent performances, his +700 NBA Finals MVP odds might just be an absolute steal.
💰 Jalen Williams player props for Game 6
Looking to get in on the action for Game 6? Here's a look at the top Williams props prior to the 8:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.
📈 NBA Finals MVP odds movement
Here's a look at how the NBA Finals MVP odds have changed for each of the top five players compared to their opening odds earlier this season, courtesy of BetMGM.
| Player | Team | Finals MVP Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | -600 | +900 |
| Jalen Williams | Thunder | +625 | +8000 |
| Pascal Siakam | Pacers | +1500 | +10000 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers | +4000 | +8000 |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | +50000 | +20000 |
💵 Best NBA betting sites
Want to bet on the 2025 NBA Finals? Check out the best NBA betting sites and best sportsbook promos for Thunder vs. Pacers:
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