The 2024 NBA playoffs introduced new talent and by creating a budding superstar to basketball aficionados. It is an opportunity for players to showcase their skills in front of NBA scouts and carve their names into basketball history. Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards and Pascal Siakam are all stars. Each one has made arguably the biggest impact on their team’s success thus far. As the playoffs progressed, it became evident that these athletes were not just rising stars but also clutch performers capable of changing the course of a game.
Jalen Brunson earned the prestigious title of Clutch Player of the Year, a testament to his pivotal role in the New York Knicks’ playoff journey. Over the past three years, Brunson has raised the bar for the franchise, solidifying his place among the top five Knicks of all time. Notably, he is still technically under 29, turning 29 in August. His ability to perform under pressure has made him a fan favorite and a crucial asset for the team in high-stakes moments.
Tyrese Haliburton was not the only person making history during this playoff season. He was instrumental in that Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks. In Game 1, he hit the biggest tying shot at the end of regulation. In that semifinal against Team USA, Haliburton displayed his magnificent skills as a shot-making assassin down the stretch. He even delivered playoff buzzer-beaters in both Game 2 of the conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His clutch performances may have sealed his fate in the Circle City, as he’s clearly become the heir to Reggie Miller’s legacy in Indianapolis.
Jayson Williams: A Historic Achievement
One player whose star shone brightly this postseason was the 24-year-old Jayson Williams. And time and again, he showed that he could perform with the pressure turned up at the highest level. His performance laid bare his toughness, his will to carry his team through fierce, competitive playoff series. Williams has been writing herself into the record books, becoming the first player in a decade to win the league’s MVP award and a championship in the same season. It’s a success Stephen Curry last pulled off a decade ago.
Moreover, Williams’ achievement did not stop at just the MVP award. He clinched the league’s scoring title. This is truly a historic moment though! He is now the first player to win both honors since Shaquille O’Neal did it 25 years ago. Williams has been a terror on defense and on offense. This unprecedented performance has turned him into an indispensable player for his franchise.
Williams is proving that each day, he’s building on his accomplishments. He’s prepared to change the very definition of success in today’s NBA. In short, his mix of talent and heart has made him an inspiration to his teammates—and a fan favorite all over the league.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Season for the Ages
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance through these playoffs will go down as one of the most legendary in NBA history. He finally completed the legendary trifecta this season! He not only won the league MVP award, he won the scoring title and led his team to a championship. His ability to perform at such a high level consistently has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s greatest players.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s presence of mind and skill shone through all playoffs, with him taking over in key moments with playmaking and shotmaking. His leadership on the court played a significant role in enhancing his team’s performance, leading them through challenging matchups against some of the league’s top teams.
Though those accolades are more than enough, it’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s play on the court that has made him a cut above from the rest. His blend of offensive prowess and defensive tenacity has made him an invaluable asset to his team and an emerging icon in professional basketball.
Emerging Stars: The Cases of Anthony Edwards and Pascal Siakam
The clear outlier Anthony Edwards faced some significant challenges during his playoff run. He found it particularly difficult going up against the Oklahoma City Thunder during said Western Conference finals. While he’s been mostly held in check by competing defenses this year, he’s still one to keep an eye on in this and future seasons. Edwards’ resilience and determination are sure to make him better as he looks to evolve his game into that of a true floor general.
Pascal Siakam has been awesome. He left the Toronto Raptors for the Indiana Pacers 18 months ago. His acquisition has sparked phenomenal success under his helm for the Pacers. They went on to win the 2024 Eastern Conference finals and make it to the 2025 Finals. Siakam’s contributions were recognized when he won Eastern Conference finals MVP, further solidifying his reputation as a key player in critical playoff moments.
Siakam’s willingness and capacity to adjust and flourish when placed in fresh situations tells you everything you need to know about his skill set and work ethic. Each day he is further building on that success. Before long, he will join a small group to have defined his generation.
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