Andrew Pace
The Boston Celtics are the reigning NBA champions, having won the 2024 title. They are also the favourites to win the 2024-25 championship, with the core players from their previous victory returning. However, the Celtics will face challenges from the Lakers, who have been bolstered by the addition of Luka Dončić, and the Cavaliers, who have impressed this season. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are also a team to watch, despite their young roster. The Warriors, with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, and the Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, are also in the running.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NBA 2024-25 Championship favorites | Boston Celtics |
| 2024 NBA Champions | Boston Celtics |
| 2024 NBA Runners-up | Dallas Mavericks |
| NBA 2024-25 Championship contenders | Cavaliers, Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, Kings, Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Magic |
| Notable players | Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Tyrese Haliburton, Paolo Banchero, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving |
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What You'll Learn
Boston Celtics: favourites to win the 2024-25 NBA Championship
The Boston Celtics are the bookmakers' favourites to win the 2024-25 NBA Championship. They are the defending champions, having won the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks in five games.
The Celtics have kept their core championship-winning roster, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. They have also added to their squad, with Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and Xavier Tillman joining the team.
The Celtics are not without competition, however. The Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers are all expected to be strong challengers. The Thunder have been installed by some bookmakers as the Celtics' toughest competition, with odds of +500 to win the championship. The Knicks have strengthened their roster, adding Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to a team that already includes Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby. The 76ers have also improved, adding Paul George via free agency.
The Celtics will also face challenges from teams in the Western Conference. The 2023 champions, the Denver Nuggets, are expected to be strong, and the Mavericks will be hoping to go one better than their 2024 Finals defeat. The Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors are considered long shots, with odds of +100000 to win the championship.
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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James and Luka Dončić
The Los Angeles Lakers have been home to some of the NBA's most famous players, with the legendary Kobe Bryant gracing the court before his tragic death in 2020. The Lakers have also been graced by the presence of LeBron Raymone James Sr., or 'King James', as he is more commonly known. James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances. He has also won three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team.
LeBron James is a record 21-time All-Star and 20-time All-NBA selection, with 13 First Team selections. He has also made six All-Defensive Teams and won four NBA MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, and three All-Star Game MVP awards. James is currently in his second season with the Lakers, having signed with them in 2018. His impact was immediate, with the Lakers opening the 2019-20 season with a 17-2 record, matching the best start in franchise history.
However, James suffered a groin injury in December 2019, which caused him to miss 17 consecutive games, and the Lakers fell out of playoff contention. The 2024-25 season has seen James return to action after a seven-game absence, although he is not yet back to his best, posting 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes during a loss to the Bulls. Despite this, James will be looking to add to his impressive career achievements and secure another championship for the Lakers.
Luka Dončić, also known as 'El Matador', 'Cool Hand', and 'The Don', is another key player for the Lakers. Dončić is the only player in NBA history with over 20 triple-doubles at age 21 or younger. He has signed several endorsement deals with brands such as Nike and Air Jordan, and was the cover athlete for the NBA 2K22 video game. Dončić is also a skilled gamer, having reached the "Grandmaster" tier in competitive play in Overwatch 2.
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. Gilgeous-Alexander played one year of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night, before being traded again to the Thunder in July 2019. Gilgeous-Alexander is a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA First Team member. He was also the leading scorer for the Thunder in his first year with the team and helped them make the playoffs as a fifth seed.
In his rookie year, Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. After dealing with injuries in the following two seasons, he was named to his first NBA All-Star Game and was voted to the All-NBA First Team in 2023. That same year, he won a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup with the Canadian national basketball team and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team. Gilgeous-Alexander has had a remarkable season, becoming the fifth player in NBA history to record 63 straight appearances with at least 20 points. He is also a leading candidate to win the MVP award for the first time in his career.
Jalen Williams, on the other hand, is an American professional basketball player who was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round (12th pick, 12th overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft. Standing at 6'6" (198 cm) tall and weighing 220 lbs (99 kg), Williams plays as a shooting guard and power forward. Before being drafted by the Thunder, Williams attended Perry in Gilbert, Arizona, and Santa Clara. In his third season with the Thunder, Williams has become vital to the team's success, averaging 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. However, he has recently been sidelined by a hip injury, causing him to miss several games.
Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander have both contributed to the Thunder's winning momentum and have been key players in the team's success. Their performances and contributions have helped the Oklahoma City Thunder maintain a strong position in the NBA.
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Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry and Draymond Green
The Golden State Warriors are one of the most successful NBA franchises of the last decade, and two of the most important players in their success have been Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
Steph Curry, or Wardell Stephen Curry II, is an American professional basketball player and point guard for the Golden State Warriors. Curry is widely considered the greatest shooter of all time and is credited with revolutionizing the sport by inspiring teams and players at all levels to utilize the three-point shot more prominently. He is a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), an NBA Finals MVP, and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. He is also a two-time NBA scoring champion and an eleven-time NBA All-Star. Curry is often compared to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson due to his diverse skill set and impact on the game. Curry's offensive presence creates a "gravity" effect, forcing opposing defenders to double-team him and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Draymond Green is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors, primarily playing at the power forward position. Green is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Green is considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time, known for his steals, shot-blocking, and rebounding. He is an eight-time All-Defensive Team member and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. Green has also demonstrated his versatility by playing and defending multiple positions, making him a key leader in the Warriors' success.
Both Curry and Green have had impressive careers with the Golden State Warriors, contributing significantly to the team's winning culture and championship runs. Their individual accolades and impact on the court have solidified their places in NBA history.
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Dallas Mavericks: 11th in the Western Conference
The Dallas Mavericks, often referred to as the Mavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team was established in 1980, and since then, they have won five division titles, three conference championships, and one NBA championship in 2011.
The Mavericks have had their fair share of successes and struggles throughout their history. In the 1980s, the team was a perennial playoff contender, led by All-Stars Rolando Blackman and Mark Aguirre. However, the 1990s were a challenging period for the Mavericks, as they missed the playoffs and entered a rebuilding phase.
The franchise's fortunes changed drastically in 1998 with the acquisition of Dirk Nowitzki, who became the cornerstone of the team's most successful era. Under Nowitzki's leadership, the Mavericks reached their first NBA Finals in 2006 and won their only NBA championship in 2011. They also swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2006 playoffs and defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference finals that same year.
However, towards the end of Nowitzki's career, the team entered another rebuilding phase, missing the playoffs for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019. The Mavericks then acquired Luka Dončić, and their fortunes rebounded, returning to the playoffs in 2020 and reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022. In February 2025, the Mavericks traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquired Anthony Davis. As of the 2024-25 season, the Mavericks hold an 11th-place standing in the Western Conference.
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Frequently asked questions
The Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals, defeating the Miami Heat and claiming their first NBA championship in franchise history.
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was the MVP of the 2023 NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers have won the most NBA championships, with 17 titles.
As of March 2025, the Boston Celtics are the favorites to win the 2024-25 NBA Championship. Other contenders include the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets.
