Top 5 Players to Look Out For Ahead of NBA Playoffs 2025

The NBA playoffs season is here and the teams are ready to gear up, promising exciting and thrilling postseason action. Playoffs are a time when players amp up to a much higher level than their regular season selves. We have had LeBron James putting up insane numbers and Michael Jordan back in the day clinching Game 6s with his clutch buzzer-beater shots. To be fair, every player goes into an A1-mode come postseason, but there are only a few on team rosters that can help swing a playoff series to their team's favor.

Top 5 players to watch out for in NBA Playoffs

Every summer, NBA fans have one question for the 16 teams competing in the postseason: Which player will emerge as the breakout star in leading their teams in the playoffs. Last season, Jalen Brunson surprised everyone by becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to score 40+ points in three playoff games. In this article, we look at some of the top players to watch out for in the playoffs. To rank these players, we have considered the following factors:

• Their clutch factor
• Their ability to score and stretch both ends of the floor
• Their ability to stay consistent throughout a series even if the team is losing its grip

#5 Malik Beasley - Detroit Pistons

As a player, Malik Beasley is one of the most obvious choices in this list ever since the resurgence of the Detroit Pistons in the East. Beasley has a unique ability to space the floor, which is evident from his 319 3-pointers made from 41.6% accuracy this regular season. Beasley can erupt as a scoring machine, whenever the time calls for the same.

Beasley and Cade Cunningham form a great duo playing off the ball with each other. He is entering the postseason right after scoring seven made triples in back-to-back games. In the postseason, defenses tend to key on stars and with Cunningham moving the ball quickly and more often down the floor, it could be best for Beasley's style of play and benefit him in carrying the team further.

#4 Jaden McDaniels - Minnesota Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels was always in the shadow of other better players on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the past few years. He had always been a reluctant shooter, who would be hesitant to even try open shots or open layups. However, since Karl Anthony-Towns' departure, the 24 year old started stepping up and has expanded his scoring role for the Wolves.

In 13 games in February, McDaniels averaged 18.5 points and 8.4 rebounds, showing he has significantly improved as a player. If he can further improve his defense and learn how to stretch both ends on the floor, he could add up to the other defensive anchors in Minnesota's squad to stop Luka Doncic and LeBron James' offense on the Lakers.

#3 Pascal Siakam - Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have roared back in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 record, clinching the third seed. One of the catalysts for their resurgence has been Pascal Siakam, who has averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 78 games played. He was also named as an All-Star for the third time in his career this season.

In the playoffs, Pascal Siakam has always been known to perform whenever the time called for. Last postseason, Siakam dropped a career-high 37 points in Game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks and shot impressive 16-of-23 from the field. He is also became the first player to score at least 35 points and 10 rebounds with a FG percentage of 60% in first two games in a playoff series. The last time someone did this was Shaquille O'Neal in the 2000 NBA Finals. Expect Siakam to maintain the same pace this season as well and carry the Pacers through to a deep playoff run.

#2 James Harden - Los Angeles Clippers

In his NBA career, James Harden has never missed the postseason with his teams. However, when it comes to playoff successes, that has always eluded the former MVP. This season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden is showing glimpses of his Houston Rockets era with averages such as 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists from 41.0% shooting from the field.

As a player, Harden's skillset forces his opponents to make choices and the Denver Nuggets team might struggle with defending him from scoring. Harden's playmaking, court vision, and ability to control the tempo perfectly complements Kawhi Leonard's isolation scoring and lockdown defense. Harden is one of the best stars to look out for in this postseason so far.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been consistent all throughout, despite winning an MVP award and a NBA title. Though Antetokounmpo's resume already speaks for a Hall of Fame career, the Greek Freak is not done right here. This time, perhaps he is entering a similar mentality as LeBron James did with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.

This season could be a huge playoff run for Antetokounmpo, given he has a running mate in Damian Lillard to complement for him in the postseason. It would be quite fun to watch the duo in the playoffs, given only if the rest of the Milwaukee Bucks team can share the load and help on both side of the floor facilitating both offense and defense.