Less than a month away from the NBA postseason beginning and the stage is close to being set for the most entertaining part of the year. The stakes are at its highest as 16 teams vie for a championship.
Every year, we see players break out under the brightest of lights and announce their arrival to the NBA playoff stage. Here are three players that will break out in the 2025 NBA playoffs.
3. Alperen Sengun
Alperin Sengun has enjoyed the best season of his young career, as he was named an All-Star for the first time and is averaging career-bests in points (19.2) and rebounds (10.5), while averaging about five assists per night. He has arguably been Houston’s best all-around player this season and has been a huge reason why the Rockets will be in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Sengun has all of the tools to be a successful playoff performer. He is a strong paint presence offensively and is physical on the boards. He is averaging a career-high 3.5 offensive rebounds per game, which puts him fourth amongst qualified players. He is also seventh in the league in double doubles with 43.
The one downside is his shooting and Houston’s lack of floor spacing could shrink the floor for him, but Sengun’s ability to overwhelm opponents physically may be enough. He has been consistent all year for the Rockets and expect that to translate in his playoff debut.
2. Darius Garland
Darius Garland has been one of the NBA’s best comeback stories this season. Last year, he broke his jaw that cost him two months and almost 15 pounds, causing him to have the worst season since his rookie year. The Cavaliers point guard has bounced back this season, being named an All-Star for the second time and is a candidate for an All-NBA team.
There are a lot of areas that Garland has excelled in this year, but one area in particular has been in clutch situations. In the clutch, Garland has absurd 58/56/88 shooting splits. He is top five in the league in clutch net rating at +31.6. He has the tenth most clutch points in the league at 94 and arguably the most impressive of all, in 30 clutch games this season, Garland only has four turnovers.
Garland has had an up and down postseason career to date, but looks poised to arrive on the biggest stage this season. Playing the best basketball of his career, look for the confident point guard to finally break through in the playoffs.
1. Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons have arguably been one of the NBA’s best stories this season. Winning only 14 games last year, the Pistons have tripled their win total with eight games left in the year. Cunningham has been the driving force behind the massive turnaround.
The former number one overall pick is averaging career-highs in points (25.7), rebounds (6.1), assists (9.2), and field-goal percentage (46.2 percent). He was named an All-Star for the first time and will almost assuredly make an All-NBA team as well. His ability to self-create at all three levels and create for others has been at an elite level all season, giving him all the tools to be the lead playoff option Detroit needs him to be.
Having a player like Cunningham that can take over the game at any moment gives the Pistons a puncher’s chance against anyone in the East. Expect Cade n ‘em to make some noise under the brightest lights.