The first season of Starting 5 premiered at the opening tip of the 2024-25 NBA calendar, giving basketball fans an intense, behind-the-scenes view of life in the league through five marquee stars: Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum. The series followed their 2023-24 campaigns on and off the court, capturing the pursuit of greatness, the grind of injuries, and the balancing act between family demands and lasting basketball legacies.
Fast-forward to the recently completed 2024-25 season, when the Indiana Pacers shocked the basketball world with a historic playoff run — stringing together last-second comebacks and game-winning daggers en route to an Eastern Conference crown. Their storybook surge ended in a gripping, seven-game Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a showdown that just so happened to be headlined by two of Starting 5 Season 2’s newest faces: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton.
That’s right: Starting 5 is back with a brand-new lineup — and this season, the spotlight turns to the players who defined one of the most unforgettable years in recent NBA history. From championship heroes to rising MVP contenders, here’s who’s taking center court in Season 2.
Haliburton is an NBA all-star who had quite an off-season. Whether he was winning a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with USA Basketball or popping up in the WWE, the Pacers point guard stayed busy. In 2024, Haliburton led Indiana to the Eastern Conference Finals, where a Game 2 hamstring injury ended his series, and season, prematurely. This season he’ll look to lead his team even further — all the way to a championship.
Gilgeous-Alexander (also known as SGA) is one of the league’s very best young players, having been runner-up in the 2024 NBA MVP race en route to leading an electric Thunder team to the best record in the Western Conference — followed by playoff run that fell short. With more experience under his belt and a brilliant, ever-evolving skill set, Gilgeous-Alexander enters the season as a serious MVP and championship threat.
Brown is fresh off a championship and looking to repeat the success achieved alongside his teammate from Season 1, Jayson Tatum. Brown earned NBA Finals MVP honors en route to winning it all — can he somehow top that this season?
Durant is one of the leading scorers in NBA history, and this season leads a Suns basketball club that have proven themselves to be contenders, but have struggled to break through in the playoffs. Fresh off helping lead the USA to Olympic gold, Durant now looks to take the Suns over the hump.
Harden’s has been one of the NBA’s best players since 2009. Despite his astonishing statistical accomplishments, there’s one achievement that eludes Harden: an NBA championship. In his 16th season, Harden looks to be as dominant as ever while bringing the Clippers to new heights in a highly competitive Western Conference.
The new season will feature eight 45-minute episodes.
Starting 5 is produced by UNINTERRUPTED, in association with Omaha Productions and Higher Ground Productions.
More unfiltered access to life at basketball’s peak is on the way. Keep an eye on Tudum for fresh updates — and, while you’re here, explore our basketball films recommendations list for even more.
