After the first two games, the Finals MVP is still very much in the air. That is because there have been some unbelievable performances, mostly on the Celtics side. The best player for Boston has been hotly debated because there are so many quality options to choose from.
Dallas hasn't gotten that same level of performance, which explains why it is down 0-2 in the series. Luka Doncic has been incredible. His teammates, not so much.
Here are the biggest contenders for Finals MVP if the award was handed out today.
MORE: Kyrie Irving guarantees Mavericks will make it back to Boston for Game 5
2024 NBA Finals MVP rankings
1. Jrue Holiday
Averages: 19.0 PTS, 9.5 REB, 4.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.5 BLK, 65.2% FG, 44.4% 3PT
Kyrie Irving is not on this list, and Holiday is a big reason why. He has shut Dallas' second star completely down, holding Irving to a miserable 35.1 percent shooting from the field. Holiday made his sixth All-Defensive team this season, and he's showing why he was worth that selection in these Finals.
What makes Holiday great is his two-way play. He's the third-leading scorer in the Finals and one of the few guys on either team who has been reliably able to knock down 3s. That shouldn't come as a surprise given that he hit a ridiculous 61.9 percent of his corner 3s during the regular season. He's also been a force at the rim, cutting for smart layups and converting on dump-off passes.
Holiday's imprint is all over the game. He had the most impressive sequence of the Finals late in Game 2 to give the Celtics a lead too big to blow.
Holiday was everywhere during this stretch. pic.twitter.com/xpKQSRDKTV
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 10, 2024
2. Jaylen Brown
Averages: 21.5 PTS, 5.0 REB, 4.5 AST, 3.0 STL, 1.5 BLK, 55.6% FG
Maybe Jason Kidd was right. Brown wasn't Boston's best player during the regular season, but either he or Holiday have had the biggest performances to start the Finals.
The Eastern Conference Finals MVP has continued his strong play, attacking Luka Doncic whenever he gets that matchup and getting to the rim at will. His step-through has become a signature shot, and he's learned when to slow down and use his craft over his athleticism.
Brown has played by far the best defense of his career this season and has been at his absolute peak in these Finals. He's been flying in for weak side blocks and has been the primary guy on Doncic, helping to ensure that he doesn't go off for any crazy numbers.
3. Kristaps Porzingis
Averages: 16.0 PTS, 5.0 REB, 2.5 BLK, 0.5 AST, 60.0% FG
Porzingis has only played 21.9 minutes per game, coming off the bench as he regains his conditioning. When he's checked in, he's been an absolute game-changer. His opening stint in Game 1 put the game out of reach for Dallas and set the tone for the rest of the Finals.
Kristaps Porzingis was everywhere in that first quarter. Crazy two-way play. C's looked like a totally different team from what we've seen in these playoffs. pic.twitter.com/UCpnJvjuSz
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 7, 2024
Porzingis hasn't quite found his rhythm from 3 yet, but his post-ups have been a nightmare for Dallas. He's abused smaller defenders, hitting 15-foot jumpers right over them or powering in for fouls.
The big man's defense has been just as impactful as his offense. He's been a shot-blocking machine, altering layups and stuffing players foolish enough to challenge him on fast breaks. (I'm looking at you, Josh Green and Maxi Kleber). The Celtics better hope that the injury he suffered at the end of Game 2 is no big deal because he's been hugely valuable for them.
MORE: If Kristaps Porzingis misses time, it could open up the door for the Mavs
4. Jayson Tatum
Averages: 17.0 PTS, 10.0 REB, 8.5 AST, 0.5 BLK, 0.5 STL, 31.6% FG
Some will see this placement as a slight against Tatum. It's more a reflection of how well his teammates have played. He hasn't been as bad as his haters have suggested. He's upped his drives to the basket, hit teammates for a ton of assists and played great defense.
MORE: Inside Jayson Tatum's Finals stats
The scoring has not been there, though. His efficiency has been terrible, and he's been taking (and missing) way too many pull-up 3s. His shots should eventually start falling, but even if they don't, he's such a well-rounded player that he will continue to provide whatever the team needs.
5. Luka Doncic
Averages: 31.0 PTS, 10.5 REB, 6.0 AST, 3.0 STL, 51.1% FG
Doncic would be No. 1 on this list if the Mavs were up 2-0. Given that they're at a sizeable deficit in this series, it's only fair to put the best Celtics ahead of him. He's been the best player of the Finals, but this is not going to be a Jerry West situation.
Doncic scored plenty in Game 1, but he was held to just one assist. He rectified that in Game 2, dropping a 32-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double. He's been a brilliant shot-maker, hitting difficult looks and taking turns picking on different Celtic defenders. His passing has been outstanding as usual, but his teammates haven't been helping him out much by bricking open 3s.
The one area that has been a bit of a letdown has been Doncic's individual defense. He hasn't offered much resistance. That was a big area of improvement for him in previous rounds and may be a sign that his nagging injuries are starting to add up.
6. Derrick White
Averages: 16.5 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.5 AST, 2.0 STL, 1.0 BLK, 42.3% FG, 38.9% 3PT
White has been a rock for the Celtics all season. That has continued through the Finals. He's hit open 3s, made the right passes and played outstanding defense. Some of his blocks have been jaw-dropping, none more so than the controversial one at the end of Game 2.
Holy **** pic.twitter.com/bVFJas63da
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 10, 2024
Did White foul P.J. Washington on that play? I don't know, and I don't care. It was an instantly iconic moment that will be remembered throughout Celtics history.
White isn't going to win this award. But he is creating a case as the best glue guy that the league has.