NBA championship and Finals MVP odds: Knicks move to 19-1 to win it all; Timberwolves still 180-1

Thursday night's fateful NBA playoff slate saw two teams ejected from title contention, and perhaps no other elimination in the first round will be more shocking than that of the Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic & Co. came into the postseason at +850 to win the NBA Finals, fourth on the odds board.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will head to the conference semifinals to take on the San Antonio Spurs (+400) while dealing with key injuries to Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu-- a difficult proposition that leaves them with 180-1 title odds.

The only first-round elimination that could potentially rival the Nuggets' would be if the Boston Celtics were to lose their series to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics came into the playoffs with third-best +550 title odds and are only out to +600, as they are 7.5-point favorites for Saturday's decisive Game 7. The Sixers, who entered the postseason with 250-1 odds and some outsized betting action, have made their way down to 100-1 for the championship.

Additionally, the New York Knicks closed out their playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks and remain at 19-1 to win the NBA Finals, actually slightly longer than the 18-1 they had going into the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons have lengthened from 22-1 to 40-1 and can be eliminated Friday night by the Orlando Magic (250-1); the Los Angeles Lakers (28-1) also have the opportunity to finish the Houston Rockets (400-1) on Friday.

Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are as of publication.

2025-26 NBA championship odds

Finals MVP odds leaderboard

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder -110

Victor Wembanyama, Spurs +500

Jaylen Brown, Celtics 11-1

Jayson Tatum, Celtics 11-1

Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers 22-1

Jalen Brunson, Knicks 25-1

Jalen Williams, Thunder 35-1

Chet Holmgren, Thunder 35-1

James Harden, Cavaliers 40-1

Cade Cunningham, Pistons 45-1

Luka Doncic, Lakers 50-1

LeBron James, Lakers 70-1

Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks 70-1

De'Aaron Fox, Spurs 90-1

Stephon Castle, Spurs 90-1

Evan Mobley, Cavaliers 100-1

Derrick White, Celtics 150-1

Joel Embiid, 76ers 180-1

Jalen Duren, Pistons 180-1

Tyrese Maxey, 76ers 180-1

Austin Reaves, Lakers 200-1

Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves 200-1

Payton Pritchard, Celtics 250-1

Josh Hart, Knicks 300-1

Tobias Harris, Pistons 300-1

Paolo Banchero, Magic 350-1

OG Anunoby, Knicks 350-1

Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers 500-1

Ausar Thompson, Pistons 500-1

Kevin Durant, Rockets 600-1

Desmond Bane, Magic 600-1

Paul George, 76ers 700-1

VJ Edgecombe, 76ers 700-1

Mikal Bridges, Knicks 1000-1

Franz Wagner, Magic 1000-1

Alperen Sengun, Rockets 1000-1

Scottie Barnes, Raptors 1000-1

Amen Thompson, Rockets 1500-1

Brandon Ingram, Raptors 2000-1

RJ Barrett, Raptors 2000-1

Immanuel Quickley, Raptors 3000-1