
Last week we took a look at five NBA teams playing above expectations, and five teams that are not playing up to preseason forecasts. Today, we take a look at five players who are helping their teams win games to make a push for favorable seeding in the upcoming 2025 NBA playoffs. These five players (listed alphabetically) are exceeding expectations and are different-makers for their franchise.
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Who else around the association will step up in the second half of the regular season?
Why He’s Making A Difference: The Knicks (26-15) have a terrific third option who is exceeding most of his career averages in major statistical categories.
The Lowdown: The Knicks gave Anunoby a sizable contract (five-year, $212.5 million) because they knew his worth and so far it’s made a huge difference for a team No. 3 in the East and only three games back of the Boston Celtics. What doesn’t always show up in the stats is his defensive presence and team-first effort, as Anunoby makes an impact on winning whenever he’s in the lineup.
He was 26-5 when he was in the lineup last season and will be an indispensable piece as the Knicks try to win the East over the likes of Boston and the front-running Cavaliers.
Why He’s Making A Difference: The Grizzlies (25-15) have a dependable veteran who is scoring less, but is more valuable with his efficiency and leadership.
The Lowdown: Bane’s play has been key as the Grizzlies battle injuries for the second consecutive year. This year, unlike 2023-24, they are major playoff contenders (No. 3 in the West and only two games back of the Houston Rockets) and need Bane healthy in order to be successful down the stretch. Bane had his own injuries the past two seasons, but in 2024-25 is a steady force because of his play-making (as opposed to just scoring) and on-court leadership.
He’s seen as a key franchise cog (along with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant) and holds himself and others accountable. In January, his shooting numbers are back up, as he’s over 54 percent from the field and over 40 percent from 3-point range for a club that has been without Morant for 15 games.
Why He’s Making A Difference: The Hawks (20-19) are simply a different team with this talented forward who has taken leaps in each of the past two seasons.
The Lowdown: Johnson has been somewhat of an enigma throughout his career and he’s finally started to shed the underachiever label in his fourth season with the Hawks. He left IMG Academy early in his senior season of high school and left Duke mid-season to prepare for the 2021 NBA Draft.
That carried with him for a long time, but last season he doubled his statistical output in nearly every category (16.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.6 rpg) and the Hakes are much better with him in the lineup. Johnson may not make the NBA All-Star Game, but the Hawks are 2-4 without him in the lineup and he’s showing fans just how valuable he is after missing five of the Hawks’ last six games with a shoulder injury.
Why He’s Making A Difference: The Nuggets (24-15) have lost their depth, but they are still battling to rep the West in the NBA Finals and the former NBA MVP has been a terrific veteran piece.
The Lowdown: Some felt the 9-time All-NBA selection and 75th Anniversary Team member was done after a forgettable two seasons split between the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers where he lost his shooting confidence and didn’t have an ideal role. In Denver, the future Hall of Famer has found his groove and relishes playing with a special talent such as The Joker, who Russ has quickly learned how to play off of.
Westbrook’s impact as a cutter and slasher makes him a dangerous threat, instead of a perimeter liability, and his season efficient field goal percentage is the highest of his career with one team. Russ' defense is still on point and when he starts (17 games), he’s averaging 15.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and 8.2 apg for a club that can realistically finish second in the West.
Why He’s Making A Difference: OKC (33-6) is on the verge of a historic season and Williams has improved in each of his three seasons when more was expected of him each campaign.
The Lowdown: When a young player keeps getting better on a title-contending team and the franchise expects the increased productivity, it speaks volumes. The former Santa Clara standout is now an indispensable cog for a team that could win between 65-70 games. On many occasions, he also plays out of position defensively when OKC employs a small lineup without injured Chet Holmgren and more than holds his own even though he doesn’t put up big steal or block numbers.
Williams is just a terrific player on the ball, in pick-and-roll situations, away from the ball, on the perimeter or in the interior. With OKC’s record, he might also be a deserving first-time NBA All-Star.
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