James, Griffin, Noah and Harden made up the top five in voting.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant received his first MVP award on Tuesday, and thanked his mother in an emotional acceptance speech.
The 25-year-old received 119 first-place votes to displace LeBron James who had won the last two awards and four of the last five, while Blake Griffin completed the top three.
As well thanking the Thunder organisation, his team-mates and the fans, Durant also reserved special praise for his mother, Wanda Pratt, who was in attendance for the contribution and sacrifice she made for him while he was growing up.
“You made us believe, you kept us off the streets, put clothes on our backs, put food on the table,” a teary-eyed Durant said to his mother, who was in attendance. “You the real MVP.”
Durant also won his fourth scoring title in five years after averaging 32 points, while he also had 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in a season in which he had to step up in the absence of point guard Russell Westbrook.
James has been vocal in his support of Durant winning the MVP award this season, and ultimately the right man won after another stellar campaign.
Watch the video below of Durant receiving the award:
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