Just hours after setting the all-time record for most points in overtime, Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry was named the NBA’s MVP for the second time in as many seasons. In the process, Curry became the first-ever unanimous winner, earning all 131 first-place votes.
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard finished second in voting, while Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James came in third.
Results are based on a points system— members of the NBA media choose their top five in order — and among the players whose names appeared on final ballots was Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry.
Lowry, who started his second consecutive all-star game this season, received one fourth-place vote and three fifth-place votes, which put him 10th in voting.
The Raptors point guard appeared in 77 games this season and made a significant leap in scoring, averaging career-highs in points (21.7), free-throw attempts (6.4) and threes made per game (2.8). He averaged 37 minutes per game, also a career-high, and led the Raptors to a franchise-best 56 wins and the second seed in the East.
In the post-season, Lowry’s scoring has dropped off considerably (15 PPG on 33% shooting) but his assists are up at 6.9 per game. Lowry fouled out of Monday’s Game 4 OT loss in the fourth quarter.
