In 2023-24, Jaylen Brown and Tatum led Boston to a 4-1 Finals win over Dallas for the franchise’s 18th title—passing the Lakers alone atop NBA history—with Brown earning his first Finals MVP.
In June 2026, Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks past the Spurs 4-1 to win their first championship in 53 years, earning unanimous Finals MVP at 32.6 PPG.
In the 2023 Finals, Nikola Jokić averaged 30.2 PPG, 14.0 RPG and 7.2 APG to lead the Nuggets past the Heat 4-1 for their first title and his first FMVP.
In 2014-15, Andre Iguodala was inserted into the starting lineup to guard LeBron; Golden State beat Cleveland 4-2 for its first title in 40 years, and Iguodala surprisingly won Finals MVP.
Frazier’s hardware: 2 championships, 1 Finals MVP, 7 All-Star selections, 4 All-NBA teams, 9 All-Defensive teams, Hall of Fame.
In 1988-89 the Detroit Pistons swept the Lakers 4-0. Joe Dumars hounded Magic Johnson on defense and was named Finals MVP, launching the Bad Boys' championship era.
In 2013-14, San Antonio’s flowing team basketball beat Miami 4-1 for its 5th title. At 23, Kawhi Leonard guarded James and scored steadily, earning his first Finals MVP.
A former All-Star starter, Iguodala embraced the sixth-man role in 2015. His Finals start and FMVP became the best footnote to "sacrifice stats for the team"—a win for team basketball.
After the 2019 Finals injury and two missed playoffs, Curry held on through doubt. In 2022 he led a comeback, completing his redemption with a title and first FMVP.
Havlicek won eight titles, one Finals MVP (1974), made thirteen All-Star teams and multiple All-NBA squads, entering the Hall of Fame in 1984.
In 2006-07 the Spurs swept Cleveland 4-0. Tony Parker averaged 24.5 points and won FMVP, becoming the first European-born Finals MVP.
In 2011-12, LeBron James led Miami past Kevin Durant’s Thunder 4-1 for his first title and Finals MVP, fully breaking the shadow of the 2011 Finals loss.