The 2025 NBA Finals are set, and it’s a fresh look at two franchises that are relatively unfamiliar to the stage.
Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star forward Jalen Williams, the Thunder roll into the Finals for just the second time since the franchise relocated in 2008 and the first time in 13 years. The Pacers’ balanced attack is led by rising star Tyrese Haliburton and Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam, one of just three players in this series who has won a title before.
Oklahoma City and Indiana have set themselves apart during the postseason with incredible depth, as head coaches Mark Daigneault and Rick Carlisle have employed rotations that are sometimes more than 10 players deep.
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As more than 20 players could realistically impact the series, I take a look at the top eight players in the NBA Finals, from the league’s MVP to the key rotational players who round out each starting lineup.
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NBA player rankings for 2025 Finals
8. Isaiah Hartenstein, Thunder
2025 playoffs (16 games): 9.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.2 apg
Hartenstein is in his first season in Oklahoma City, and the fit could not be much better. He completes the Thunder’s two-big frontcourt look and does a little bit of everything, but his scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and screen-setting have been invaluable.
He also gives OKC plenty of value on the defensive end and has made for a great option against more powerful big men.
7. Andrew Nembhard, Pacers
2025 playoffs (16 games): 12.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.1 apg
Ahead of the Olympics, Gilgeous-Alexander described Nembhard as “the perfect true point guard.” Nembhard is more than that, as he has proven to be the perfect combo guard to pair alongside a pure point guard in Haliburton.
During the playoffs, Nembhard has created for himself and others offensively, all while playing stifling defense on opposing teams’ best perimeter players. He’s a two-way ace who’s only getting better.
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6. Myles Turner, Pacers
2025 playoffs (16 games): 15.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 apg
The longest-tenured member of either Finals roster, Turner’s 10th season in Indiana culminates with a trip to the Finals. During the postseason, he has been a steadying force with a floor-spacing ability that allows the Pacers’ offense to flow efficiently.
Turner’s rebounding may leave more to be desired from a center, but no player has blocked more shots in these playoffs.
5. Chet Holmgren, Thunder
2025 playoffs (16 games): 16.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.1 apg
Holmgren has taken on tall tasks for the Thunder in just the second playoff run of his career. He’s the rim protector that completes OKC’s elite defense, but his impact does not stop there.
The 23-year-old has turned in five double-doubles in the postseason, averaging 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 56.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from 3 in the conference finals. Doing all of that at 7-1 makes Holmgren a rare breed.
4. Jalen Williams, Thunder
2025 playoffs (16 games): 20.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.3 apg
The second half of OKC’s All-Star duo is growing up in real-time, as JDub had some big-time performances in just his second time on the playoffs stage. And while he has had a few valleys to go along with his peaks, it’s important to remember that Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be just the 27th playoff game of Williams’ three-year career.
The growth and maturity were on full display in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, as Williams’ 34 points helped the Thunder get a crucial two-point win to take command of the series. Oh, and he’s doing this on offense while guarding at an All-Defensive Team level.
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3. Pascal Siakam, Pacers
2025 playoffs (16 games): 21.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 apg
He was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP for a reason.
The championship DNA Siakam acquired from his role during Toronto’s run in 2019 has been on display this postseason, evidenced by his three 30-point performances in the East Finals. Siakam is a connector, but at an All-Star level, making those around him better by doing whatever needs to be done on a nightly basis.
Some nights, it’s slashing and scoring; other nights, it may be more about perimeter shooting. Siakam’s malleability makes him a one-of-a-kind star who can be plugged and played anywhere.
2. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
2025 playoffs (16 games): 18.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 9.8 apg
Haliburton is the model example of pure point guard play when he’s at his best. That much was on display during his historic 32-point, 12-rebound, 15-assist Game 4 triple-double that also came with no turnovers.
Some of his inconsistencies are inexplicable, such as his eight-point dud to follow up the historic outing, but Haliburton’s highs are those of an all-time great, and he’s a 25-year-old lead guard coming into his own.
Haliburton’s talent is undeniable, and Indiana’s chances to win rely on him consistently playing at a superstar level.
1, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
2025 playoffs (16 games): 29.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.9 apg
There’s no one better than the MVP. Despite some efficiency struggles to begin the playoffs, SGA has averaged an 29.8 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the field.
Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as the league’s most unguardable players, evidenced by his 11 games of 30-plus points through the first three rounds. He’s more than just a scorer, though, as SGA has continued to make leaps as a playmaker and rebounder, and his defense is no slouch.
Offensively, Gilgeous-Alexander scores while contorting his body in ways no other NBA player can. He’s a one-of-one and has a great runway ahead of him to cap off an incredible season with a Finals MVP award.
