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The regular season ends on April 12, with all 30 teams playing, before the NBA playoffs begin on April 18. Ahead of the season’s conclusion, who has the magic touch to potentially decide a series?
Aaron Wiggins
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Aaron Wiggins is averaging over 10 points per game this season and provides versatile wing defense, spot-up shooting, and transition scoring. Wiggins has been mooted as a potential target for Los Angeles Lakers, but fans will be hoping he stays in Oklahoma: he’s perfect for Thunders’ fast-paced system.
He’s not a role player, but it’s difficult to not mention a certain teammate of Wiggins who won an MVP, a championship ring, and a Finals MVP last time out. By most reckonings, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the league’s standout player. The guard is extremely close to matching last season’s 32.7 points per game and his 3-point percentage isn’t far off either. He missed the All-Star break with an abdominal strain – it was the latest in a string of injuries for Thunder, but they’ll still be confident of running away in the Western Conference.
Today’s basketball odds and markets coverage suggest Thunder are the clear favorites for this year’s Championship. Any ambition to the Golden State Warriors’ record for regular season wins is now unattainable, but the man who some call a “free throw merchant” is firing them toward another playoff run. Denver Nuggets, despite trailing San Antonio Spurs, are second favorites. Cleveland Cavaliers are third favorites despite their relative struggles in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs haven’t made the Finals since 2018.
Jaden McDaniels
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels is an elite stopper. Head coach Chris Finch has said that having McDaniels as a point-of-attack defender with his reach “is a luxury”. McDaniels’ 6-foot-9 frame, basketball IQ and screen defense has made him one of the NBA’s best defenders. But his offensive output is improving too: McDaniels is scoring around 15 points per game this season, a clear improvement on his 12.2 in 2024-25 and 10.5 the previous year.
McDaniels guards the best players, communicating with Rudy Gobert – who plays drop coverage in pick-and-rolls – to direct play his way and buy recovery time.
The Wolves will be confident of making the playoffs despite Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors being on their tails. The Wolves are outscoring everyone but the Thunder and Nuggets in the West.
Christian Braun
Denver Nuggets’ guard Christian Braun is a two-way spark. His defensive versatility and transition play are vital to the Nuggets’ rotation. Braun’s hustle and 3-point shooting have elevated him beyond his 2023 championship rookie role. His 3P% and rebounds per game are down from 2024-25 but Braun is still scoring almost 10 points per game.
Braun thrives as a perimeter defender and spot-up threat, complementing Nikola Jokić (who orchestrates from the post) by crashing the glass and converting in transition to punish switches.
The Nuggets face competition from OKC, Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers in the West but will hope Jokić and Jamal Murray’s scoring records can keep them in the top six.
Players Set to Miss the Playoffs
No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg would have hoped to make the playoffs but the Dallas Mavericks are struggling, and Kyrie Irving’s season-ending injury won’t help. The Mavs’ record with Irving since he joined during the 2022-23 season is 75-53, whereas they lose almost double the amount of games they win when he’s out.
