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The NBA regular season has come to an end, and the postseason is set to kick off on Tuesday evening.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference after winning a league-best 68 games during the 2024-25 campaign. OKC had one of the best regular season performances in NBA history, and heads into the postseason with the potential to make a deep run.
The Thunder have enough high-end talent to make an NBA Finals push this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will likely win MVP, and Jalen Williams earned his first All-Star berth after an impressive two-way campaign.
For the Thunder to replicate their regular season success, though, the team is going to need strong outings from the rest of its roster.
Here are three role players who could make a big impact during Oklahoma City's 2025 playoff run.
Isaiah Joe
The Thunder's sharpshooter, Joe occupies an important role for OKC off the bench.
The 25-year-old has connected on more than 40% of his 3-point attempts in each of his three seasons with the Thunder. This year, Joe shot 41.2% from beyond the arc while taking more than six attempts and averaging 10.2 points per contest.
In the last 10 games, Joe has topped 30 points twice, including a 10-of-14 performance from beyond the arc against Utah. If the Arkansas product can carry this moment into the playoffs and knock down a few timely triples, the Thunder will have the chance to make a deep run.
Aaron Wiggins
Wiggins has been Oklahoma City's sixth man this year, giving the team a solid scoring punch off the bench.
The former Maryland standout has scored at least 30 points three times this season, including a 41-point, 14-rebound outing against Sacramento. When the Thunder have been defeated this season, one of the struggles Mark Daigneault's team has faced is not having enough scoring options off the bench.
For the Thunder to continue their dominance in the playoffs, Wiggins will have to be a consistent scorer off the bench for OKC.
Kenrich Williams
Williams likely won't get time on the floor in every game during the postseason, but depending on the matchup, the veteran forward could be a viable option off the bench.
With good size and a solid perimeter shot, Williams' versatility makes him a candidate to impact games for the Thunder in the playoffs. Last year, the TCU product's physicality was valuable for OKC against Dallas, and Williams could have a similar impact against a team like the Lakers this time around.
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- Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
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TODAY'S BEST
Yankees Announce Paul Goldschmidt News After Loss to Twins
The New York Yankees won their first series of August in a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins from Monday to Wednesday, but they're still in trouble. They're only one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL Wild Card spot with six weeks left in the regular season. The Yankees beat the Twins 6-2 on Monday and 9-1 on Tuesday before losing 4-1 on Wednesday, but Tuesday's victory came at a price. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt left early and didn't play on Wednesday, a night in which New York especially needed his bat. The Yankees released an update on Goldschmidt after Wednesday night's game, via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. The 37-year-old has a low-grade knee sprain with inflammation. He's slashing .276/.331/.422 with 10 homers and 40 RBI over 112 games. Fellow first baseman Ben Rice went 1-for-4 in Goldshmidt's stead on Wednesday. The 26-year-old is slashing .233/.326/.456 with 17 homers and 38 RBI over 101 contests. Paul Goldschmidt comments on injury Goldschmidt said that he hopes he can avoid the IL with a "short-term" absence, via Hoch. While Rice is a high-upside player in his second year, the seven-time All-Star is still a more dependable contact hitter at this point. Goldschmidt is third on the squad with 110 hits, although his younger counterpart's OPS is 30 points higher. The Yankees need the veteran back as soon as possible to help them maintain their Wild Card spot. His presence allows Rice to play catcher, which is optimal given Austin Wells's struggles. The 26-year-old is slashing just .206/.264/.408 with 15 homers and 56 RBI over 94 games. Up next for New York is a road series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt's former team.
Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
NFL backup quarterback ratings 2025: Assessing all 32 teams
A major injury suffered by a starting quarterback can ruin a season if an NFL team doesn't have a solid backup plan. Ahead of the regular season, which begins Sept. 4, Yardbarker NFL writers rate the backup QB situations of every NFL team on a scale of "1" (dynamic) to "5" (disaster). NFC East DALLAS COWBOYS | Rating: 4 | QBs: Dak Prescott (starter), Joe Milton III, Will Grier | Milton, acquired in an offseason trade with the New England Patriots, was subpar in a Week 1 preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams (17-of-29 for 143 yards, one TD pass and an interception). "I think our plan all along has been that we need to find out about Joe Milton," first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer told the team’s website. The 2024 sixth-rounder must show more for the rest of the preseason for the Cowboys to feel confident about their backup situation. NEW YORK GIANTS | Rating: 3 | QBs: Russell Wilson (starter), Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart, Tommy DeVito | The Giants have assembled one of the league’s more bizarre QB rooms. Winston is much more entertaining than good, just as likely to throw two pick-sixes as 400 yards in a game. DeVito is competent but offers little upside, while 2025 rookie Dart is the wild card and should be the first name called if HC Brian Daboll pulls the plug on Wilson. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Rating: 2 | QBs: Jalen Hurts (starter), Tanner McKee, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Kyle McCord | McKee has made the most of his opportunities, including acing his most recent test in preseason Week 1, finishing a win over the Cincinnati Bengals 20-of-25 for 252 yards and two TD passes. The Eagles should feel confident that he can win games, but they should be skeptical of Thompson-Robinson or McCord. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Rating: 4 | QBs: Jayden Daniels (starter), Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson, Sam Hartman | Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, was fine for the Commanders a season ago, completing 77.3 percent of his pass attempts with four TD passes and no interceptions in three appearances. But let’s be real: Washington will only go as far as Daniels takes it. The backup situation for the Commanders is bleak, with journeyman Johnson and 2024 undrafted free agent Hartman also offering limited upside. — Eric Smithling NFC West ARIZONA CARDINALS | Rating: 4 | Kyler Murray (starter), Jacoby Brissett, Clayton Tune | Brissett has learned from great QBs (Tom Brady and Andrew Luck) and has had success in spurts. He's not a game-changer, but he can keep the Cardinals in games and give a young team stability in case Murray misses time. If Tune plays, though, the season has gone drastically wrong. LOS ANGELES RAMS | Rating: 2 | QBs: Matthew Stafford (starter), Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, Dresser Winn | The Rams may already be thinking about playing Garoppolo because of Stafford’s lingering back injury. Garoppolo is accomplished, having nearly won Super Bowl LIV for the 49ers. Bennett flashed potential in the preseason opener against the Cowboys while working with second- and third-teamers. Winn is likely suited for a practice-squad role. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Rating: 3 | Brock Purdy (starter), Mac Jones, Carter Bradley | Jones has flourished in his first camp with the team. The 2021 first-round pick looks like he has been operating HC Kyle Shanahan’s system for years and could be the team’s next reclamation project success story. Bradley is just a camp body. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Rating: 3 | Sam Darnold (starter), Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe | Rookie Milroe boosts the ranking, as his stellar speed can directly impact any game. Lock is a serviceable option. The veteran is entering his second stint with the Seahawks. His decision-making is highly questionable, but he is an underrated passer. — Sterling Bennett NFC North CHICAGO BEARS | Rating: 2 | QBs: Caleb Williams (starter), Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Austin Reed | The Bears have faith in Bagent to keep the offense afloat if Williams misses time. The 25-year-old went 2-2 in four starts in 2023. Chicago might have the best third-string QB in the NFL in Keenum, who has started 66 games and has thrown for 15,175 yards. DETROIT LIONS | Rating: 4 | QBs: Jared Goff (starter), Hendon Hooker, Kyle Allen | Hooker attempted only nine passes in his rookie season in 2024, so who knows if he’s capable of running an NFL offense? As for Allen, he’s 7-12 in 19 starts with 26 TD passes and 21 interceptions, and he’s attempted only one regular-season pass since 2022. GREEN BAY PACKERS | Rating: 2 | QBs: Jordan Love (starter), Malik Willis, Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma | Willis stepped in for an injured Love last season and went 2-0 with four total touchdowns and no interceptions. He'll improve as he works more with HC Matt LaFleur. Clifford is a decent third-string option. MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Rating: 3 | QBs: J.J. McCarthy (starter), Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, Max Brosmer | Howell is a solid backup with 18 NFL starts and a gunslinger mentality, but his aggressiveness leads to too many turnovers. If anyone can get the best out of him, it's HC Kevin O’Connell. If Rypien or Brosmer play this season, Minnesota's in trouble. — Jack Dougherty NFC South ATLANTA FALCONS | Rating: 3 | Michael Penix Jr. (starter), Kirk Cousins, Easton Stick, Emory Jones | Cousins flopped in his first season with the Falcons, throwing one TD pass and nine interceptions over his final five starts before being benched for 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. The No. 8 overall pick’s development is crucial for the Falcons, who have little else behind him. Stick was sharp in preseason Week 1, going 15-of-18 for 149 yards and a TD in a loss to the Detroit Lions. CAROLINA PANTHERS | Rating: 3 | QBs: Bryce Young (starter), Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer | Dalton gives the Panthers a veteran presence behind incumbent Young, but is no more than a replacement-level player at this stage of his career. Plummer (no relation to retired former NFL QB Jake Plummer) is a 2024 undrafted free agent who ended his collegiate career as a fifth-year senior at Louisville, where he threw for 3,204 yards while leading the Cardinals to a 10-4 record. He didn’t take a snap during the last regular season. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Rating: 5 | QBs: Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, Jake Haener, Hunter Dekkers | The top three QBs on the depth chart (Rattler, Shough, Haener) are in a battle to start. They took turns turning the ball over in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, with Rattler losing a fumble, Shough throwing a pick-six and Haener throwing another interception late in the fourth quarter. Three weeks before the regular season opens, New Orleans might not be any closer to deciding on a starter. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Rating: 4 | Baker Mayfield (starter), Kyle Trask, Teddy Bridgewater, Connor Bazelak | Trask, entering his fourth NFL season, is still an unknown with only 11 career pass attempts, but likely is more confident after a sharp preseason opener. Bridgewater hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2022, while Bazelak, a 2025 undrafted free agent after exhausting his college eligibility at six seasons, is practice-squad fodder. — Eric Smithling AFC East BUFFALO BILLS | Rating: 1 | Josh Allen (starter), Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White, Shane Buechele | In Trubisky, the Bills have one of the division's more experienced QBs (57 starts over eight NFL seasons). He and White each threw 13 passes and combined for three TDs in a preseason game against the Giants. Unless the Bills look to dump Trubisky’s $3.2M salary, these two offer Buffalo great depth behind Allen. MIAMI DOLPHINS | Rating: 5 | Tua Tagovailoa (starter), Zach Wilson, Quinn Ewers | Aside from Tagovailoa, Dolphins QBs were abysmal in the team’s first preseason game. Wilson was sacked four times, Ewers went 5-of-18 and neither threw for a TD. Wilson hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since going 4-7 with the Jets in 2023, and Ewers was the last QB taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Considering Tagovailoa’s extensive injury history, Miami could be in deep trouble if it must turn to a backup. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Rating: 3 | Drake Maye (starter), Joshua Dobbs, Ben Wooldridge | An undrafted free agent, Wooldridge threw for 132 yards and a TD against the Commanders in the first preseason game. Dobbs, a five-year veteran and the NFL’s resident rocket scientist, would get the start should starter Maye miss time. Dobbs lost his only start with the 49ers last season but threw for 2,464 yards in 13 games with the Cardinals and Vikings in 2023 and started two games for HC Mike Vrabel when both were with the Titans in 2022. NEW YORK JETS | Rating: 4 | Justin Fields (starter), Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez, Brady Cook | Taylor made the Pro Bowl after throwing for 3,035 yards and 20 TDs in 14 starts with the Bills in 2015, and has a 28-28-1 record as a starter in 14 seasons in the league. The 36-year-old will miss the preseason while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, but should still have a leg up on undrafted rookies Martinez and Cook. — Bruce Ewing AFC West DENVER BRONCOS | Rating: 3 | Bo Nix (starter), Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger | Stidham had a 1-1 regular-season starting record in his first two seasons with Denver, but looked sharp in its 30-9 preseason win against the San Francisco 49ers. The Baylor/Auburn product went 14-of-15 for 136 yards passing and two TD passes. Ehlinger last started for the Colts in 2022, going 0-3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Rating: 4 | Patrick Mahomes (starter), Gardner Minshew, Bailey Zappe, Chris Oladokun | Minshew flopped with the Raiders in 2024, tossing more interceptions (10) than TD passes (nine) in 10 games. Zappe and Oladokun struggled in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Rating: 2 | Justin Herbert (starter), Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei | Heinicke looked serviceable when playing for the Washington Commanders from 2020-22, going 12-11-1 in 24 starts. Lance, a flop with San Francisco and Dallas, may be improving. The third pick of the 2021 NFL Draft went 20-of-34 for 175 yards passing and two TD passes in his first two preseason games. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Rating: 3 | Geno Smith (starter), Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller | O’Connell looks like a career backup after logging 3,380 passing yards in 20 games in his first two seasons with the Raiders. However, 2025 sixth-rounder Miller may be an intriguing developmental QB. The former North Dakota State star went 6-of-7 passing for 76 yards and one TD in a 23-23 preseason tie with the Seattle Seahawks, which impressed Vegas head coach Pete Carroll. — Clark Dalton AFC North BALTIMORE RAVENS | Rating: 3 | Lamar Jackson (starter), Cooper Rush, Devin Leary | Rush is a capable backup, but he's a very different QB from starter Lamar Jackson and would require a different offensive approach if he were to play. He threw for 1,844 yards and 12 TDs last season for Dallas when pressed into service for injured starter Dak Prescott. CINCINNATI BENGALS | Rating: 2 | Joe Burrow (starter), Jake Browning, Desmond Ridder | Browning had a solid run in place of Burrow late in the 2023 season and would have a lot of weapons to use in the passing game if pressed into action. He's not a long-term starter, but Cincinnati would be in good hands if he had to start a few games. CLEVELAND BROWNS | Rating: 4 | Joe Flacco (presumptive starter), Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel | Every option, including Flacco, is backup caliber. Even worse, none seems to be a solid option as a backup, too. PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Rating: 2 | Aaron Rodgers (starter), Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Skylar Thompson | Rudolph would not be a great full-time starter, but as a backup, he is as solid as you can get. He has proved capable of winning games (9-8-1 as a starter), has a big arm and is not hesitant to stand in the pocket and make tough passes. — Adam Gretz AFC South HOUSTON TEXANS | Rating: 3 | C.J. Stroud (starter), Davis Mills, Kedon Slovis, Graham Mertz | Mills has not started a game since 2022 but has 26 career starts. (The Texans won just five of those games.) Mills has thrown for 35 TDs but also has 25 interceptions, so ball security is an issue for the 2021 third-round pick. Slovis and sixth-round rookie Mertz are unproven. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Rating: 4 | Daniel Jones (presumptive starter), Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard, Jason Bean | Jones is favored to win the starting job, but that could change before Week 1. Either way, the Colts will have a backup QB who has extensive starting experience in Jones or Richardson. The problem is neither QB is good, with Richardson having thrown 11 TD passes compared to 13 interceptions in 15 games. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Rating: 4 | Trevor Lawrence (starter), Nick Mullens, John Wolford, Seth Henigan | Mullens has 20 starts on his resume, but the results are poor (5-15 as a starter, 34 TD passes and 31 interceptions). In three starts with the Vikings in 2023, Mullens had eight interceptions. TENNESSEE TITANS | Rating: 5 | Cam Ward (starter), Brandon Allen, Trevor Siemian | With Will Levis out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, the Titans are relying on journeymen to back up rookie Cam Ward. Siemian has extensive starting experience, but most of it came in his first three seasons. He has completed just 58.5 percent of his passes in his career, slightly better than Allen’s 56.7 percent. — Steve DelVecchio
The Washington Commanders are preparing for the worst after checking in with free agents at an important position
You can never have too many upgrades on a football roster, and the Washington Commanders are keeping their options open with a couple of free agents who could boost at a certain position. The top priority of the team is to protect the franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, and that comes from bolstering the offensive line. Recent workouts show that the Commanders are prepared to sign the top offensive tackles available if they need to. Commanders have a mutual interest with two free agents The Commanders hosted two standout free agents that could signal how they feel about the depth at offensive tackle. They brought in veteran offensive tackles George Fant and Cam Fleming for visits, but may not be done yet. Neither player ended up signing with the Commanders, but it's been reported that the team will remain in contact with Fant and Fleming. The left side of the line has had an interesting offseason so far, and the Commanders are ready for worst-case scenarios. Laremy Tunsil was one of the biggest moves for the Commanders' offseason, but he recently had a minor injury, but nothing to be concerned about. Still, though, one injury can make the line fall apart, and they need depth at tackle. The Commanders had Nate Herbig randomly retire during training camp, which led to the team signing Lucas Niang as the corresponding move. Niang tore his ACL in the first preseason game, and he's likely out for the season. They still have some pieces they can move around, but it seems like they'd rather bring in a bigger name. Fant was with the Seattle Seahawks last season, but only played in 30 snaps. Previous to that, he logged 962 snaps at right tackle and 42 at left tackle as a starter for the Houston Texans. He's 33 years old and can provide a ton of experience with almost 5,000 career snaps on both sides of the line. The team is also keeping in contact with Cam Fleming, who has over 4,300 snaps on both sides as well. Adam Peters clearly values experience and doesn't want to just roll out somebody who hasn't proven themselves in the league to protect Daniels, and you have to respect that. Both Fant and Fleming are right at 33 years old, and they obviously wouldn't be long-term pieces, but smart moves for protecting the depth of the line. They can also move Andrew Wylie and Trent Scott over in an emergency. There's no telling if rookie Josh Conerly Jr. will start Week 1, but the team is prepared for everything possible.
Milwaukee Brewers outfield will be without two key contributors against Cincinnati Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to head into a pivotal 19-game-in-18-day stretch short-handed as they open their series against the Cincinnati Reds. While no official announcement has been made, it was previously reported that outfielder Isaac Collins would miss the series for the birth of his child. Now, it appears Blake Perkins may also be unavailable. Outfielder Blake Perkins may be unavailable against the Cincinnati Reds Per Blake Perkin’s MLB transaction page, he was placed on the bereavement list on Aug. 14. The bereavement list is a temporary roster designation that allows a player to take time off due to a death or serious illness in their immediate family. The organization hasn't commented on the situation. Tyler Black and Steward Berroa have been called up by the Milwaukee Brewers With Collins and Perkins unavailable against the Reds, veteran reporter Francys Romero indicated that Tyler Black and Steward Berroa were called up to the big leagues. Black is primarily an infielder, whereas Berroa is a speedy outfielder who could make an impact over the weekend series, especially with Jackson Chourio still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
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