Oklahoma City Thunder
March 2025
The Thunder secured a playoff spot after defeating the Celtics 118-112, sweeping the season series against the defending champions.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 34 points, while Chet Holmgren added 23 points and 15 rebounds. The win marks OKC’s second straight postseason appearance, with sights set on a deep run.
James Harden, Damian Lillard
March 2025
With Harden at 3,127 threes and Lillard at 2,794, they are the closest active players to Curry’s 4,000 three-pointer milestone.
Given their playing styles and shot volume, both stars have a chance to break the barrier in the coming seasons, but Curry’s record may stand for years to come.
New York Knicks v Detroit Pistons
April 2025 (Game 4, Eastern Conference First Round)
The Knicks escaped with a 94-93 win after officials admitted a missed foul call on Josh Hart’s contest of Tim Hardaway Jr.’s potential game-winner; Knicks now lead series 3-1.
Despite a furious Pistons rally and Cade Cunningham’s triple-double, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 59 points, overcoming Brunson’s injury scare to carry New York to victory.
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
2024-25 NBA Season
After last year’s Western Conference finals exit, Anthony Edwards transformed into Minnesota’s leader, both mentally and statistically, thanks in part to his Team USA experience.
Edwards learned the value of team play from Olympic vets, resulting in career highs in points (27.6), 3P% (39.5), and 3PM (320). His improved unselfishness saw assist numbers rise and team offense surge. Minnesota finished the season 17-4 to clinch the No. 6 seed and now face Oklahoma City in the West Finals.
Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers, Slovenia)
September 2025
uka Doncic scored 42 points with 10 rebounds in Slovenia’s EuroBasket win over Italy, despite briefly leaving with a leg scare. Already a top-50 all-time EuroBasket scorer, Doncic is carrying Slovenia with dominant performances across the tournament. After returning from injury, Doncic led Slovenia with efficiency and resilience, easing fears of serious damage. The Lakers star recently signed a three-year, $165m extension and continues to cement his status as one of basketball’s most transcendent global figures.
Los Angeles Lakers
April 2025 (Game 4 aftermath, ahead of Game 5)
The Lakers have fallen 3-1 behind the Timberwolves after another poor fourth quarter, scoring just 19 points and missing crucial shots in Game 4. Coach JJ Redick defended his rotation decisions despite scrutiny.
Redick became the first coach since 1998 to play the same five men for an entire half. Doncic and James missed key shots late, while Redick benched his usual reserves. The Lakers are being outscored 105-69 in fourth quarters this series.
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
May 2025
Nikola Jokić became the third player in NBA history to finish top-2 in MVP voting for five straight seasons, joining legends Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
Jokić finished second in 2025 behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, adding to MVP wins in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and a second-place finish in 2022. He averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists this season — one of the most statistically dominant years ever, yet not enough to claim the award.
Emirates NBA Cup
December 2025
The league has unveiled a special Las Vegas court for the Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, featuring the tournament trophy at center court, the full eight-team bracket beneath it and a 5×5 mosaic pattern carried across the floor. Designed by Victor Solomon in collaboration with the NBA and teams, the floor mirrors this season’s in-season court concepts, placing Cup trophies in both paints to give the semifinals and championship on Prime Video a distinct visual identity and reinforce the competition as a standalone marquee event.
Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets)
Friday, Game 6 of first-round series
Fred VanVleet’s 29-point night, including a pivotal four-point play to start the fourth, powered the Rockets past Golden State 115-107, evening the series 3-3. He’s hit 18 threes in his last three games.
VanVleet’s clutch shooting exploited Golden State’s defensive shift toward limiting Jalen Green, who was held to 12 points. Houston opened the final quarter on a 6-0 run and capitalized on Warriors’ poor shooting stretch to pull away late.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, and others
May 24, 2025
The NBA announced its 2024-25 All-NBA teams, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He was joined on the First Team by Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Donovan Mitchell. LeBron James earned a record 21st All-NBA selection, while Cade Cunningham’s Third Team inclusion triggered a $269M supermax deal.
The selections were made by a 100-member international panel. Other key awards this season included DPOY (Mobley), Coach of the Year (Atkinson), and Rookie of the Year (Stephon Castle).
