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.