NBA Finals: 5 Players with the most Finals MVP Awards

#2 Magic Johnson - 3 NBA Finals MVP Awards

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is acknowledged as the greatest point guard of all time. His height, length, and vision made him a deadly weapon in open court. He is a five-time NBA Champion, three-time league MVP, and three-time finals MVP.

The Lakers made it to the 1980 NBA Finals and beat the Philadelphia 76ers in six games. During this series, Johnson averaged a near triple-double with 21.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks.

In Game 5, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was the league MVP at the time, suffered an ankle injury that forced him to sit out Game 6. Without their star center, Magic Johnson decided to step in to the position and had what is arguably the best game of his career. This performance gave him his first NBA Finals MVP award.

The Lakers faced off against the Sixers again in the 1982 finals and were able to close out the series in six games. Once again, Magic averaged a near triple-double with 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Because of his strong all-around performance, he was awarded the finals MVP a second time.

Magic Johnson's last finals MVP award came by way of the 1987 championship. The Lakers faced the Sixers and beat them in six games. Compared to his previous finals appearances, Johnson stepped up with his offensive production as he averaged 26.2 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy also had a great series under the leadership of Johnson.