Key Takeaways from Netflix’s ‘Starting 5’ Season 2

The final season of Netflix’s “Starting 5” was released Thursday, offering new perspectives on memorable moments from the 2024-25 campaign.

The series followed Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, then-Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, LA Clippers guard James Harden and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.

Each star had their own challenges last season, all revealed by Netflix’s behind-the-scenes access.

“The Netflix people are driving me crazy,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said at one point. “They’re everywhere, you know, and it’s really annoying.”

Durant dealt with injuries and trade talks that almost sent him to the Golden State Warriors. Haliburton suffered a midseason slump after limited action at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Brown’s knee injury was a setback for the Celtics in their quest for back-to-back titles. Harden embarked on another season in search of a championship, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency fueled the Thunder’s NBA title aspirations.

The result brought two of the season’s stars to the biggest stage: Game 7 of the Finals.

Here are the key takeaways from “Starting 5” Season 2.

The trade with Houston still hurts Harden and Durant

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s debut brought together two of the game’s best scorers on one team: Durant and Harden. They were teammates for three seasons before the Thunder dealt Harden to the Houston Rockets in 2012, propelling the guard to All-Star and MVP status.

Even though the trade happened more than a decade ago, emotions still run high for Durant and Harden, who won Sixth Man of the Year honors that season. Alongside Russell Westbrook, the Thunder had just won a Finals in which they lost in five games to the Miami Heat.

Unable to reach a contract extension, Oklahoma City traded Harden. He explained that it was “not about real money. It was about a few million dollars.”

Durant admitted he didn’t know what was going on with Harden’s contract negotiations until the very end and “never thought there was a possibility he was leaving.” He also expressed anger at the league-wide reaction, with players posting congratulatory messages for Harden on social media.

“I was like, ‘Shut up. You were just scared. You all knew we were on our way.’” Durant said.

Harden echoed a similar sentiment.

“Overall, I was as mad as hell,” he said. “Because I got the call, and it was like there was a loss. These are my homies, like you see what we just did the last three years? It was like, ‘we’re going to win a championship next year.’ …I was hurt. It was sad, for real.”

Durant said he loved playing with Harden and missed it. However, he emphasized that he, Harden and Westbrook have all maximized their potential, which is the most important thing.

Haliburton plans to take a break from the Pacers

Before leading the Pacers on a surprising run to the NBA Finals, Haliburton found himself in a bleak situation entering the 2024-25 season. His confidence took a hit after playing just three games for Team USA at the Paris Olympics.

The All-Star guard struggled in November and December, averaging 18.1 points and nine assists on 44 percent shooting from the field as Indiana entered 2025 with a 16-18 record.

“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever felt as negative about myself as I did in November and December,” Haliburton said. “Yeah, I was definitely in a dark time.”

His fiancee, Jade Jones, could tell that Haliburton was feeling pressure from his gambling and was having trouble identifying the root cause of his meltdown.

The Pacers’ highest-paid player, Haliburton said players like him are only evaluated based on their ability to influence their respective teams to win games. If they don’t, it’s the next man’s turn.

“I got to the point where I was like, ‘Should I step away a little bit just for our group?’ Would that be more beneficial?” Haliburton said. “I know if I’m not right, our team won’t be right.”

A conversion with his coach, famed NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen, helped Haliburton’s turnaround. He also returned to Paris at the end of January with the Pacers against the San Antonio Spurs.

This time it was Haliburton who performed. He dropped 28 points in Indiana’s 136-98 victory, and the rest is history.

The SGA fraternity and Chris Paul on full display

Gilgeous-Alexander and Paul developed a strong bond during the one season they spent as teammates with the Thunder in 2019-20. The 2025 MVP called Paul a mentor and friend, and he leaned on him for advice.

After Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon scored a game-winner against the Thunder in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, Gilgeous-Alexander FaceTimed Paul upon his return home. The two moments reviewed from the game.

Paul also attended Game 2 of Oklahoma City’s Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander received his MVP award that evening as Paul sat courtside next to Gilgeous-Alexander’s wife.

The Thunder guard put Paul in a playful chokehold after the game, saying, “Now you’re stuck. Now you don’t know what to do. What now?”

“I’ll just cut your wrist. It’ll be with me,” Paul replied, and the 12-time All-Star then went to dinner at Gilgeous-Alexander’s.

The wild ending to Game 1 of the NBA Finals as told by the players

The shocking comebacks of Haliburton and the Pacers made for a huge storyline of the playoffs and “Starting 5.” There may not have been a single comeback with bigger ramifications than Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The Thunder appeared to be in cruise control, holding a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, Indiana was in a position it had been in before these playoffs and slowly took Oklahoma City down — something Haliburton said the Pacers tried to do in each of their other comeback victories.

Indiana, down one with less than 10 seconds left, had the ball after Gilgeous-Alexander missed a jumper.

“They get the rebound, don’t call timeouts. [Haliburton] puts it in his right hand. He likes his right hand. That’s where he’s going,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

Haliburton then dribbled to the right wing and rose to give the go-ahead goal.

“It was like slow motion. Like the ball was in the air forever. I’m just like, ‘He’s going in,'” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

“I didn’t even know how to react, so I’m screaming,” Haliburton said as the Pacers stole Game 1.

Raw reactions after Haliburton tore Achilles in Game 7

Game 1’s improbable comeback set up the two best words in a playoff series: Game 7.

Unfortunately, Haliburton’s outing ended prematurely due to a torn Achilles just midway through the first quarter. Netflix mic’d Haliburton during the game and followed him to the locker room.

The Pacers star – who had nine points before going out – explained that he wanted to check a 3-point shot, but didn’t like the opportunity. Therefore, he swung the ball, knowing that it would come back to him with the intention of attacking his defender, Gilgeous-Alexander. However, when he went to drive to the basket, the injury occurred.

“I knew what it was,” Haliburton said.

“I turn around and look at who’s on the floor, I was like, ‘Oh shit, no way.’ And then I saw him screaming,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

The first five minutes of Starting 5 Season 2? CINEMA Absolute 🍿

Premieres on Netflix in 10 HOURS. pic.twitter.com/FWv797eBRl

-Netflix (@netflix) October 15, 2025

Haliburton revealed he wanted out, recalling that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant retired after tearing his Achilles tendon.

“I can go. It’s possible. So I said to myself: ‘Get up, I’m going to go.’ It was like a dead weight at the end of my leg,” he said. “I think that’s when I was overcome with emotion, just because that’s when reality really set in.”

Haliburton broke down in tears in the locker room with Jones, his father and his mother by his side. He wrapped his ankle in ice and watched the rest of the game in the trainer’s room, saying on television, “At least it’s worth it.”

With Indiana leading at halftime, Haliburton revealed that his biggest regret was not giving a speech to the team at halftime. Oklahoma City ended up winning 103-91 to win the championship.