11 Best NBA Players Right Now, Ranked

The second round of the NBA playoffs is well underway, as some of the best players around the league have been stepping up big time for their teams with some of the shortest championship basketball odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

Clutch moments deep in playoff games are when some of the league’s best stars are born.

With that said, who are the 11 best NBA players right now? Let’s take a look.

11 Best NBA Players Right Now, Ranked

Best NBA Players in 2025

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33.5 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds through his first two games of the second round.

SGA has the shortest NBA odds (+125) of winning the NBA Finals MVP, and he might just win it if he continues to produce at this rate.

2. Nikola Jokić: Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokić went off for 42 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 121-119 Game 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He managed just 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in Denver’s 149-106 Game 2 loss to OKC.

3. Donovan Mitchell: Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell exploded for 48 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 120-119 Game 2 loss to the Indiana Pacers and 33 points in their 121-112 Game 1 loss.

His scoring has helped keep Cleveland in these games with Darius Garland missing both games and Evan Mobley out in Game 2.

4. Jalen Brunson: New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson took over down the stretch in the New York Knicks’ first two wins against Boston, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot.

Brunson’s heroics helped the Knicks erase two 20-point deficits to take the surprising 2-0 series lead, dropping 20 second-half points in Game 1.

5. Karl-Anthony Towns: New York Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns put up 21 points and 17 rebounds in Game 2, capitalizing on mismatches and driving and post-up opportunities.

His work on the offensive glass and improved defence near the rim has New York well positioned to win this series, and he’s due to get even hotter offensively.

6. Anthony Edwards: Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards had 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 117-93 blowout Game 2 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Edwards has the Wolves primed to get to the Western Conference finals for a second consecutive season.

7. Tyrese Haliburton: Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton averaged 20.5 points on 61.5% shooting, 8.5 assists, six rebounds, and two blocks during the Pacers’ first two games of the series.

Haliburton’s efficient shooting and excellent playmaking skills have helped the Pacers jump out to a 2-0 series lead.

8. Jayson Tatum: Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum has been ice cold to begin the Eastern Conference semifinals, averaging 18 points on 28.6% shooting, though he’s also averaged 15 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in those games.

9. Jaylen Brown: Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown averaged 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and three assists in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, though his lack of second-half offence has contributed to the Celtics’ collapses.

10. Julius Randle: Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle came through with 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 Game 2 win over the Warriors, stepping up to give Edwards the support he needs.

11. Mikal Bridges: New York Knicks

Mikal Bridges came up with a couple of big-time steals and defensive stops down the stretch in Games 1 and 2.

Bridges finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in Game 2, scoring all of his points in the fourth quarter.