The most recent season of Netflix’s “Beginning 5” was launched Thursday, providing new views on memorable moments from the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
The sequence adopted Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, then-Phoenix Suns ahead Kevin Durant, LA Clippers guard James Harden and Boston Celtics ahead Jaylen Brown.
Every star had his personal challenges final season, all revealed by Netflix’s behind-the-scenes entry.
“The Netflix individuals are driving me nuts,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle stated at one level. “They’re all over the place, you recognize, and it’s a ache within the ass.”
Durant handled accidents and commerce discuss that just about despatched him to the Golden State Warriors. Haliburton fought by a midseason droop after restricted motion on the 2024 Paris Summer season Olympics. Brown’s knee damage was a setback for the Celtics of their pursuit of successful back-to-back titles. Harden launched into one other season looking for a championship, whereas Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency fueled the Thunder’s NBA title aspirations.
The result introduced two of the season’s stars to the largest stage: Recreation 7 of the Finals.
Listed here are the highest takeaways from Season 2 of “Beginning 5.”
The early days of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder paired two of the sport’s high scorers on one group: Durant and Harden. They have been teammates for 3 seasons earlier than the Thunder dealt Harden to the Houston Rockets in 2012, propelling the guard to All-Star and MVP heights.
Although the commerce occurred over a decade in the past, feelings are nonetheless uncooked for Durant and Harden, who gained Sixth Man of the Yr that season. Alongside Russell Westbrook, the Thunder have been coming off a Finals run wherein they misplaced in 5 video games to the Miami Warmth.
Unable to succeed in a contract extension, Oklahoma Metropolis traded Harden. He defined that it “wasn’t about no actual cash. It was a pair million {dollars}.”
Durant admitted he didn’t know what was occurring with Harden’s contract negotiations till the very finish and “by no means thought there was a chance he was leaving.” He additionally expressed anger concerning the response leaguewide, with gamers posting congratulatory messages for Harden on social media.
“I used to be like, ‘Shut the f— up. Y’all simply was f—ing scared. Y’all knew we was on the way in which.” Durant stated.
Harden echoed the same sentiment.
“Total, I used to be mad as hell, too,” he stated. “Trigger I bought the decision, and it’s like, then there was loss. These are my dawgs, such as you see what we simply did these final three years? It was like, ‘we’re gonna win a championship subsequent 12 months.’ … I used to be damage. It was unhappy, for actual.”
Durant stated he preferred taking part in with Harden and he misses it. Nonetheless, he identified that he, Harden and Westbrook all maximized their potential, which is most essential.
Previous to main the Pacers on a shocking NBA Finals run, Haliburton discovered himself in a darkish place early within the 2024-25 season. His confidence took successful after he performed in simply three video games for Workforce USA within the Paris Olympics.
The All-Star guard struggled in November and December, averaging 18.1 factors and 9 assists on 44% taking pictures from the sphere as Indiana entered 2025 with a 16-18 report.
“I truthfully don’t suppose I’ve ever felt as unfavorable about myself as I did in November and December,” Haliburton stated. “Yeah, I used to be positively in a darkish time.”
His fiancée, Jade Jones, might inform Haliburton was feeling strain from his play and was struggling to determine the basis reason for his droop.
The very best-paid participant on the Pacers, Haliburton stated gamers corresponding to himself are solely evaluated on whether or not they can affect their respective group to win video games. In the event that they don’t, it’s subsequent man up.
“It bought to the purpose the place I used to be like, ‘Ought to I type of step away for a bit of bit only for our group? Would that be extra useful?'” Haliburton stated. “I do know that if I’m not proper, that our group isn’t gonna be proper.”
A conversion along with his coach, famend NBA expertise coach Drew Hanlen, aided Haliburton’s turnaround. He additionally returned to Paris in late January with the Pacers going through the San Antonio Spurs.
This time, Haliburton carried out. He dropped 28 factors in Indiana’s 136-98 win, and the remainder was historical past.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Paul developed a powerful bond within the one season they spent as teammates with the Thunder in 2019-20. The 2025 MVP referred to as Paul a mentor and buddy, and he leaned on him for recommendation.
After Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon nailed a recreation winner towards the Thunder in Recreation 1 of their second-round playoff sequence, Gilgeous-Alexander FaceTimed Paul when he bought residence. The 2 reviewed moments from the sport.
Paul additionally attended Recreation 2 of Oklahoma Metropolis’s Western Convention finals sequence towards the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander acquired his MVP award that night time as Paul sat courtside subsequent to Gilgeous-Alexander’s spouse.
The Thunder guard playfully put Paul in a chokehold after the sport, saying, “Now you caught. Now you don’t know what to do. Now what?”
“Ima simply chop your wrist off. It’s gonna be with me,” Paul replied, and the 12-time All-Star went to Gilgeous-Alexander’s home for dinner afterward.
Haliburton and the Pacers’ stunning comebacks have been an enormous storyline of the postseason, and “Beginning 5.” There could not have been a single comeback with bigger ramifications than Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals.
The Thunder appeared to be in cruise management, holding a 15-point lead within the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, Indiana was ready it had seen earlier than that postseason and slowly walked Oklahoma Metropolis down — one thing Haliburton stated the Pacers tried to do in every of their different comeback wins.
Indiana, down one with lower than 10 seconds remaining, had the ball after Gilgeous-Alexander missed a jumper.
“They get the rebound come down, don’t name a timeout. [Haliburton] will get it to his proper hand. He loves his proper hand. That’s the place he goes,” Gilgeous-Alexander defined.
Haliburton then dribbled towards the precise wing and rose up for a go-ahead jumper.
“It felt like sluggish movement. Just like the ball’s within the air endlessly. I’m identical to, ‘It’s getting in,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.
“I didn’t even know how you can react, so I simply yell,” Haliburton stated, because the Pacers stole Recreation 1.
The inconceivable Recreation 1 comeback arrange the perfect two phrases in a playoff sequence: Recreation 7.
Sadly, Haliburton’s outing ended prematurely because of a torn Achilles simply midway by the primary quarter. Netflix mic’d Haliburton up through the recreation and adopted him to the locker room.
The Pacers star — who had 9 factors earlier than exiting — defined he wished to warmth examine a 3-pointer, however didn’t like the chance. Subsequently, he swung the ball, understanding it might rotate again to him with the intention of attacking his defender, Gilgeous-Alexander. Nonetheless, when he went to drive to the basket, the damage occurred.
“I knew what it was,” Haliburton stated.
“I flip round and look to see who’s on the ground, I used to be like, ‘Oh s—, no method.’ After which I seen him screaming,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.
Haliburton revealed that he wished to stroll off, recalling that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant walked off when he tore his Achilles.
“I can stroll off. Like, it’s attainable. So I used to be like, ‘Get me up, I’m gonna stroll off.’ It felt like simply lifeless weight on the finish of my leg,” he stated. “I feel that’s once I grew to become overcome with emotion simply because that’s when the truth actually set in.”
Haliburton broke down in tears within the locker room with Jones, his father and his mom by his aspect. He bought his ankle wrapped in ice and watched the remainder of the sport within the coach’s room, saying to the TV: “Make it price it, at the very least.”
With Indiana main at halftime, Haliburton revealed that his greatest remorse was not giving a halftime speech to the group. Oklahoma Metropolis ended up successful 103-91 to assert the championship.