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Top 10 storylines entering the 2025 NBA playoffs
It's that time of the year when basketball games feel extra meaningful, but this postseason may be the most anticipated in years. The regular season produced the most 50-win teams since 2014-15 and the most 60-win teams since 2008-09 — markers of legitimate parity.
Every fan base has a reason to be excited, even those of younger teams that aren't expected to contend just yet. Here, we rank the 10 biggest storylines to monitor.
Two icons chase final shot at glory
LeBron James and Stephen Curry will be 41 and 38, respectively, when the 2026 playoffs begin. This postseason presents them with their last, best chance to pursue a fifth NBA championship, considering that the youthful Thunder and Rockets are built to contend for years, and Victor Wembanyama's Spurs are coming. It's now or never for Curry and 'Bron.
Milwaukee's last audition to keep Giannis?
A loss to the Pacers would mark their third consecutive first-round exit. It would be a travesty if Giannis Antetokounmpo were to go home in April again, given that he's in the middle of a historic three-year stretch. As loyal as the "Greek Freak" has been, his patience must be wearing thin, and nobody will blame him if he were to seek greener pastures.
Boston can snap a seven-year trend
The NBA has not witnessed repeat champions since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The Celtics are in a prime position to snap the trend. They rounded into peak form in the second half of the season, going 22-5 after the All-Star break. They are healthy and own the second-best road record ever, meaning they would welcome a Game 7 in Cleveland.
The Kevin Durant sweepstakes
Kevin Durant won't be seen in the playoffs, but his next team could be. Widely expected to be traded this summer, Durant may be paying attention to teams he could envision himself in. On the flipside, teams that fall short may concede they're "a Kevin Durant away" from winning it all. Durant and the Suns will reportedly work together on finding his next home.
If OKC falters, the NBA's integrity suffers
If the Thunder pull a 2007 Mavericks or a 2015 Hawks, the fabric of the regular season will be destroyed. Mark Daigneault's men shattered records en route to 68 wins, including the highest points differential mark that stood for 50 years. If they flop, fans and analysts alike will put even less stock into the regular season, not a good endorsement for the NBA.
Can 'The Klaw' survive a playoff run?
Kawhi Leonard limped out of the first round the last two years due to injuries. Entering the 2024-25 season, he was ranked the 22nd-best player by ESPN. He's looked like a top-five player since the start of March, producing at an elite level on both ends of the floor. A healthy Leonard has made the Clippers the most dangerous team entering the playoffs.
Thibs and Knicks on the clock
If the Knicks suffer a first-round loss to the Pistons, Tom Thibodeau's five-year tenure as head coach is in jeopardy. Even a second-round loss won't be viewed as a success after the blockbuster trades they made last summer. Given how proactive the Knicks front office has been in recent years, it shouldn't come as a shock if they overhaul the roster again.
Luka vs. Nico: Part One
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is convinced Luka Doncic lacks the defensive chops to lead a team to a title. If the Lakers' star proves him wrong, the Mavericks fan base's worst nightmare will come true. They're already going through it, but watching Doncic, their former favorite son, win a title with another team, would be the ultimate gut punch.
Bad Boy Pistons 3.0 are here
The Pistons return to the playoffs after six years. The Bad Boy Pistons of the 1980s, as well as the Ben Wallace-led iteration of the 2000s, would be proud of their successors, who exude a similar passion for defense and have built their identity on grit. Win or lose, the world will get a glimpse of a team poised to be a mainstay for years, so much so that Draymond Green has predicted Cade Cunningham will bring them a title imminently.
The next 'Face of the NBA' will be crowned
Some felt Jayson Tatum settled this debate last year when he won the title, but the Celtics star can't seem to win over everyone. Tatum may become undeniable with another ring, but Anthony Edwards, Doncic and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander are all poised to battle for the throne. Doncic's star may shine the brightest due to his purple and gold colors.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2025
▪️ Winner of MIA/ATL with play #1 CLE
▪️ Winner of DAL/MEM will play #1 OKC#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google begin April 19th! pic.twitter.com/TNjKsldzXW
More must-reads:
- It's disrespectful to label Rockets underdogs against Warriors
- Dillon Brooks makes promise before playoff series against Warriors
- The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
NBA Star Ja Morant Is Still Owed A Lot Of Money By The Memphis Grizzlies
When healthy, Ja Morant is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies star is coming off his sixth season in the NBA where he averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.9% from the three-point range in 50 games. Via The NBA (on October 31, 2024): "JA MORANT WAS A WALKING HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT 26 PTS 14 AST (several were ridiculous) 10 REB His 12th-career triple-double in the @memgrizz W " Morant will be paid $39.4 million for the 2024-25 season. Over the next three seasons, the Grizzlies will have to pay the two-time NBA All-Star over $125 million (h/t Spotrac). Via NBA Indonesia (on August 10): "Happy 26th birthday Ja Morant! NBA Rookie of the Year (2020) NBA Most Improved Player (2022) All-NBA Second Team (2022) 2x NBA All-Star Starter (2022, 2023) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2020)" Morant was the second pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. His career averages are 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 46.9% from the field and 31.7% from the three-point range in 307 games. The Grizzlies finished the 2024-25 season as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 48-34 record. They beat the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament to make the 2025 NBA playoffs. However, Morant and the Grizzlies were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's biggest find is ready to take a huge step forward, and it could be huge for Brian Flores' defense
After joint practice on Wednesday between the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, I was asked by some members of the Patriots beat about just one player. "Who's 61? He's a dude." That player is Jalen Redmond, who has quite the story heading into his second season with the Vikings. He was playing in the UFL in the spring of 2024 with the Arlington Renegades. He was a signing the Vikings made on June 18th, 2024, which came after mandatory minicamp. Redmond was the 90th player on the roster and excelled throughout training camp to earn a roster spot. That ability is showing up once again. Jalen Redmond is taking another step forward The signing of Redmond was a massive win for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his scouting staff, especially Ryan Grigson, who was given a lot of credit for finding him. "I remember he [Grigson] called me and said, 'I like this guy.' I think it was late May," Adofo-Mensah explained. "You have to ask yourself, what's your standard for bringing people in, because a lot of good players are on teams already, so there's going to be something there that's not perfect, not clean, and earlier he had injuries, so you've got to understand why he's available, but ultimately here's why he might be a good bet. "And you saw the flashes for an interior guy with burst, his run defense kind of jumped out to me. That's the other thing, when you've been together for two or three years, and my history with Grigson before, he knows how to communicate with me, makes a cut-up, knows exactly what we look for." You can see the power and explosiveness in Redmond's game. He rarely gets washed out by the offensive line, and often penetrates the backfield with his ability. Where things have gotten really interesting with Redmons is seeing how good he can be from a short and long-term perspective. Last season, Redmond played in 13 games and flashed in a major way. While he went undrafted out of Oklahoma, it wasn't so much due to talent, but a health issue that kept him from being selected. He certainly looks like a player who should have been selected. Over the course of the season, Redmond got one sack and 6.0 tackles for loss to pair with 18 tackles. His ability to be a penetrating force on the line earned him a starting role at the end of the season, with two starts in his first year with the Vikings. Going into year two, Redmond shouldn't be overlooked. He won't be a starter with the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but it shouldn't be much of a surprise if he approaches 500 snaps as a rotational player. His teammates believe he's a stud, something that Jonathan Greenard emphasized last week. "Redmond is a dog," said Greenard after Redmond's great practice on Thursday. "Jalen's been a dog since last year in training camp. I knew he was a dog when he got thrown out of practices last year. So I was like, listen, from that day forward, he got thrown out, he came back in just completely, just dominating. And at that point even to see it during the season and see him continuously build. Now I'm like, man, everybody knows, but when you see, obviously, you bring in two guys like JA [Jonathan Allen] and Grave [Javon Hargrave], you kind of think that he gets put in the wayside, making the same place he was last year, if not more. And that just helps us out to know that it's not gonna drop off whenever those guys get a breather or something like that. If I'm coaching, I'm putting him in." Don't sleep on Redmond going into this season, as he's only getting better.
Proposed Arena Deal Puts Brady Tkachuk in Different Jersey
The Ottawa Senators’ long-awaited push to move downtown has revived more than just arena talk—it has also sparked speculation about the future of captain Brady Tkachuk. On episode 400 of the DFO Rundown podcast, NHL analyst Jason Gregor suggested that the timeline for the Senators’ new home at LeBreton Flats may not line up with Tkachuk’s contract, potentially influencing whether he stays in Ottawa. Tkachuk’s deal, an eight-year, $57.56 million pact signed in 2021, runs through 2028. By then, the Senators’ proposed arena—still facing construction and approval hurdles—might only just be opening. According to reports from the Ottawa Citizen, the building is expected to take at least two years to complete once the land is ready. That mismatch in timing could prove crucial. “Is that building done in three years? Probably not,” Gregor said. “So I’m going to actually sell [on him staying]. By the time that building is done, he’ll have moved on. I get a sense that he might be going to the USA.” Which Team Would Brady Tkachuk Join? It’s key to point out that Brady has never said he has intentions on leaving Ottawa. He’s excited about the upcoming season and working with the team to get better and become a legitimate playoff contender. His contract also includes a full no-move clause. It’s the control over any trade scenario he has that makes this interesting. In the past, he’s been loosely linked to the New York Rangers. In December, “The Post’s Larry Brooks reports the Blueshirts have been in trade talks with multiple teams — with Senators forward Brady Tkachuk their primary target.” The article added, “The 25-year-old Ottawa captain would bring a jolt to the lifeless Rangers lineup and in multiple ways.” Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen later ruled out there being any truth to the speculation. Of course, there is also the Florida Panthers, where Brady’s brother Matthew plays. Matthew loves Florida and is signed until 2030. Could bringing in the younger brother be one of the things that gets both players to sign team-friendly deals and extensions? The Senators have made it clear that Tkachuk remains central to their long-term plans, but without a finished arena to market as a franchise reset, Gregor wonders if Ottawa could face a challenge convincing its captain to stick around for the next chapter.
Green Bay Packers Matt LaFleur Gets Honest About Performance Of QB Taylor Elgersma
Green Bay Packers rookie quarterback Taylor Elgersma took the field against the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday’s preseason game, competing for a role in the team’s quarterback depth chart. The Canadian college standout, battling for a practice squad spot, delivered a mixed bag of results, combining flashes of potential with clear areas for growth. Head coach Matt LaFleur provided honest postgame insights, reflecting both the promise and challenges of transitioning from Canadian football to the NFL. Green Bay Packers Taylor Elgersma: Up And Down Performance Elgersma’s stat line provided a snapshot of his night. He recorded a 96.4 passer rating, a mark that outshone fellow Packers quarterbacks Malik Willis (62.5) and Sean Clifford (39.5). The rookie led two scoring drives, demonstrating an ability to move the ball and capitalize when needed. However, his performance wasn’t without flaws. Elgersma struggled within the pocket, at times creating his own pressure by unnecessarily leaving clean throwing lanes. One particularly concerning moment involved a risky pass into coverage that ended up negated by a Colts penalty, a near-miss that highlighted a need for better judgment and situational awareness. “I thought there were a lot of good things that he did. Obviously, he led us on a couple of scoring drives,” said LaFleur after the game. “I do think there were a couple of times where he put the ball in jeopardy in some tough situations, and we got bailed out by a penalty on the defense. So, I think there’s a lot to like, but also a lot to learn from.” Adapting to the NFL Game Elgersma’s challenges go beyond typical rookie adjustments. His collegiate background in Canadian football, where the rules and field dimensions differ from the NFL, presents an additional learning curve. Canadian football’s twelve-player format and wider field demand a different skill set, which Elgersma is now adapting to with the Packers. One area requiring improvement is his pocket awareness. On several plays, Elgersma’s lack of comfort staying in the pocket disrupted the offensive flow. Instead of relying on his offensive line or stepping into throws, he opted for premature escapes, inviting unnecessary pressure. Despite these shortcomings, Elgersma’s physical attributes and arm strength remain evident. His quick release and ability to execute deep throws—when given time—are the qualities that led Green Bay to take a chance on him. Competing for a Role Jordan Love’s absence in this game due to a thumb injury gave backups extended time to prove themselves. With Love cemented as the starter and Malik Willis locked in as his immediate backup, Elgersma is directly competing with third-year quarterback Sean Clifford for a developmental spot. Elgersma’s arm talent and size make him a high-upside project for the Packers, but Clifford’s experience gives him the edge if immediate readiness becomes the deciding factor. Should Elgersma secure a practice squad slot, he’ll have the opportunity to refine his game under the guidance of quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, whose extensive experience developing young signal-callers could be pivotal. Next Steps for Elgersma The rookie’s performance against the Colts offers both optimism and caution. With one preseason game left against the Seattle Seahawks, Elgersma must demonstrate improved pocket presence and decision-making to strengthen his case. Any flashes of production or growth in these areas will validate the team’s interest in keeping him as a long-term developmental prospect. For Elgersma, the key lies in consistency. While his highs are promising, his lows show that the jump to the NFL is still a significant transition. Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers understand this and seem willing to invest in his development, provided he seizes the opportunity to grow from each snap. Final Thoughts Taylor Elgersma’s outing against the Colts revealed the natural highs and lows of a rookie navigating the NFL’s learning curve. While flaws in pocket awareness and decision-making are areas for improvement, his arm strength and scoring drives showcase potential worth nurturing. With a final preseason opportunity on the horizon, Elgersma remains focused on maximizing his reps and proving he deserves a developmental role with the Packers. For now, the rookie’s performance embodies both the promise and patience required to succeed at the NFL level.
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