Only 2 NBA MVPs Under 27 Won a Title

Since 1990

Neither faced a game 7 those years

@smellybunty

 I know what you're saying but today's game isn't for the nba title it's to get to the conference finals.

I was going to take denver with the points anyway but if gordon can't go i'll pass 

Out of

"Only 2 NBA MVP winners under 27 have won a title since 1990."

To put this in perspective, how many sub 27 MVP winners in that time span made the playoffs?

And how many sub 27 MVP winners who actually made the final round?

Here’s a refined breakdown of MVP winners under 27 years old since 1990, focusing on those who made the playoffs and the NBA Finals:

1. LeBron James – first MVP 2009 at age 24

2. Kevin Durant – first MVP 2014 at age 25

3. Derrick Rose – MVP 2011 at age 22

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – MVP 2019 at age 24

Caveat: Stephen Curry won his first MVP in 2015 at age 27, but since your threshold is “under 27,” he’s not included.

• LeBron (2009 onward): Played in—and advanced through—multiple playoff seasons. ?

• Durant (2014 onward): Made the playoffs every MVP year. ?

• Rose (2011): Cavaliers reached the postseason that year. ?

• Giannis (2019): Bucks of course reached the playoffs. ?

?? Total: 4 of 4 MVPs under 27 made the playoffs.

• LeBron James: Appeared in the Finals three consecutive times (2011–2013). ?

• Kevin Durant: Made it to the Finals with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. ?

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Reached and won the Finals in 2021. ?

• Derrick Rose: Never advanced to the NBA Finals. ?

?? Total: 3 of 4 MVPs under 27 reached the Finals.

Yes—while only 2 under-27 MVP winners have won a title since 1990 (Giannis in 2021, Durant in 2017/18, LeBron later), all 4 under-27 MVPs made the playoffs, and 3 of them advanced to the Finals, with 2 capturing championships.

Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into any of their playoff runs!