Jordan, Kobe and More: The NBA MVPs who Played all 82 Games This Season

Check out the athletes who won the honor without missing a single game during the campaign.

In an age of increasingly fast-paced competition, it is increasingly rare for NBA superstars to complete the full 82 regular-season games, as the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant once did . Nowadays, many teams are opting to carefully manage the minutes of their top stars, trying to reduce the possibility of injuries, especially in back-to-back games.

The league then began to closely investigate the absences of its most renowned players, demanding plausible justifications from the franchises. In addition, it implemented a rule requiring players to participate in 65 matches so that they can compete for individual awards or selections for the best teams of the season.

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There are still some exceptions, such as Mikal Bridges. The New York Knicks forward has yet to miss a game in almost seven years of his career. However, throughout history, other great stars have gone further: they won the MVP award without missing a single game in the regular season. Check out who they are!

Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers (2007-08)

The first name on the list (or, in this case, the last to achieve the feat) is Kobe Bryant. In this way, the Lakers star won his only MVP award in the season that ended with the defeat to the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

With averages of 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals, he took home the trophy after playing in all 82 games. The following season, he would once again play in all of Los Angeles’ games. Although he did not win the MVP, he was able to celebrate the NBA title at the end of the campaign , in the rematch against the Celtics.

Kevin Garnett – Minnesota Timberwolves (2003-04)

One of the most energetic and provocative players of all time, Kevin Garnett also played in all 82 games for two consecutive seasons. In the second, he won his first and only MVP award, averaging 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. During his long 20-year professional career, he played in three full 82-game seasons. In addition, he lost only one game in three more.

Tim Duncan – San Antonio Spurs (2001-02)

Garnett’s teammate, Tim Duncan, shared very few similarities with his Timberwolves and later Celtics rival. The main one is, without a doubt, talent. Owner of a discreet personality, the great symbol of the Spurs dynasty on the court won two MVPs in a row.

In the first, therefore, he was present in the 82 commitments of the Texan team, registering 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per duel. In the following season, he won the honor again, and only failed to repeat the feat because he lost a single game.

Michael Jordan – Chicago Bulls (1997-88, 1990-91, 1995-96 and 1997-98)

It’s no surprise that Michael Jordan made this list. However, it may be because he repeated the feat in four of the five seasons he was crowned MVP. Besides him, only one other player has achieved this feat. Oh, and it’s worth remembering that Jordan also finished as the league’s top scorer in every season he took home the award.

Karl Malone – Utah Jazz (1996-97)

The ‘mailman’ established himself as one of the most dominant athletes of his era. In addition to leading the Jazz to two consecutive Finals (to this day the only ones in franchise history), Karl Malone added two MVP awards to his personal resume. The first came in the 1996-97 season. At the time, he averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 82 appearances.

Larry Bird – Boston Celtics (1985-86)

One of the great symbols of the Celtics and the NBA, especially in the 1980s, Larry Bird collected individual and collective achievements. To this day, he is the last player to have won three MVPs in a row. And the final victory, in 1985-86, came with 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 82 games played.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Milwaukee Bucks/Los Angeles Lakers (1970-71, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1979-80)

Former record holder for the highest scorer in league history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has lost the title to LeBron James. However, he still holds the record for most MVP awards of all time, with six wins. In four of these he played in all 82 games, cementing himself as a legend in world basketball.

Other players on the list:

Julius Erving – Philadelphia 76ers (1980-81)
Moses Malone – Houston Rockets (1978-79)
Bob McAdoo – Buffalo Braves (1974-75)
Dave Cowens – Boston Celtics (1972-73)
Wes Unseld – Washington Bullets (1968-69)
Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68)

Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan

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Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.