From Magic and Kareem in the ‘80s to Jordan and Pippen in the ‘90s to Kobe and Shaq in the 2000s, the NBA has always been defined by legendary duos. While that formula started to shift in recent years with the emergence of several superteams, the league seems to be moving back to its roots with more marquee pairings.
Injuries and free agency have shaken up this year’s NBA landscape, opening the door for some exciting new duos around the league. We’ve seen a good mix of youth and experience; there have been a few younger teammates stepping up to make their mark, while several veteran pairings continue to prove that they still belong among the league’s top tandems.
So, which two-man teams are dominating the hardcourt this season? Let’s take a look around the league and break down the top 10 duos in the NBA today.
10. Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
This pair may not always get the attention they deserve, but you could argue that Brunson and Towns are the best Knicks duo since the days of Frazier and Monroe. Brunson is top 10 in scoring this season with 28 ppg and Towns is currently third in rebounding with 12.6 rpg. Together, they form one of the most efficient pick-and-pop combinations in the league.
9. Tyrese Maxey & Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have been a fascinating team to watch as of late, with Maxey quietly overtaking Embiid as Philadelphia’s primary weapon on offence. Maxey currently sits third in NBA scoring with 32.1 ppg, and Embiid (when healthy) continues to dominate down low with a 23.80 player efficiency rating (PER). Despite the unique shift in their power dynamic, the pair continues to thrive as teammates.
8. Kawhi Leonard & James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
They may be getting up there in years, but Leonard and Harden are still far from over the hill. When he’s at full strength, Kawhi remains an elite defender and efficient scorer. Harden is still a dangerous step-back shooter and has become one of the game’s premier playmakers. Together this season, they are combining for nearly 48 ppg and give the Clippers one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos.
7. Kevin Durant & Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
When Durant was traded to the Rockets in July, it gave Houston that elite scorer they’d been missing in recent seasons. KD has not disappointed since arriving in Texas, putting up 24.6 ppg and unlocking the full potential of Sengun’s high-post game. With Durant at his side, Sengun is putting up career highs in points (22.1), rebounds (10.3) and assists (7.2).
6. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Now playing in their ninth season together, Jokic and Murray continue to form one of the game’s top duos. With arguably the most seamless two-man game in the NBA, this tandem makes up the foundation of Denver’s entire offence. Between Jokic’s low-post passing and Murray’s outside shooting, they’ve led Denver’s offence to 124.5 points per game and a 9-2 record so far this season.
5. Steph Curry & Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors
They may play contrasting styles, but Curry and Butler provide Golden State with a pair of superstars capable of making one final run at a championship. Curry is still a threat from beyond the arc with 4.1 three-pointers made/game this season, while Butler’s two-way game has been equally impressive, filling up the stat sheet on both ends. Retirement may not be far off, but this duo is still capable of taking over in the fourth quarter.
4. Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
As LeBron continues to sit out this season with a lower-body injury, a new duo has emerged for the Lakers. With a combined 63 ppg, Doncic and Reaves are the highest-scoring teammates in the NBA right now. Things may look different once LeBron is back, but until then, there’s a hot new power couple dominating the headlines in Los Angeles.
3. Cade Cunningham & Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Detroit has found its next great duo in Cunningham and Duren, giving the Pistons one of the best inside-outside tandems in the NBA. Cunningham’s playmaking and pacing perfectly complement Duren’s vertical athleticism, and their pick-and-roll connection has become Detroit’s most reliable source of offence. With both players in their early 20s, you can expect to see this duo dominating the East for years to come.
2. Victor Wembanyama & Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
It’s not often that two Rookie of the Year winners play together, but that’s the case in San Antonio with Wembanyama and Castle guiding the Spurs to an 8-3 record and first place in the Southwest Division. On offence, Castle handles pressure on the perimeter, giving Wemby cleaner touches in scoring spots. Combined with Castle’s defensive IQ and Wembanyama’s shot-blocking, this pair can dominate both ends of the floor.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Fresh off Oklahoma City’s first NBA championship, SGA and Holmgren are picking up right where they left off. The pair forms one of the top guard-big man duos in the league, with an elite pick-and-roll game that is complemented by Holmgren’s length and touch around the rim. Chet’s shooting ability also keeps the lane open, allowing SGA to attack the rim with space. The duo has gotten OKC off to a 12-1 start and look primed to defend their title.