Haliburton’s comeback, Durant’s lingering trade anger drive Netflix’s ‘Starting 5’ Season 2
netflix-starting-5-season-two-nba-takeaways
The second installment of Netflix’s documentary series “Starting 5” debuted Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, offering behind-the-scenes footage from the 2024-25 NBA season and centering on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Kevin Durant (then with the Phoenix Suns), James Harden of the LA Clippers and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics.
Durant and Harden still feel the sting of 2012
More than a decade after the Oklahoma City Thunder sent Harden to the Houston Rockets, both former teammates admit the deal still hurts. Harden told the cameras the contract gap was only a few million dollars and that he was “mad” when the move became official. Durant said he learned of the breakdown at the last minute, believed Harden would stay and grew irritated when rival players congratulated the guard online, insisting they were simply relieved the Thunder core had been broken up. Even so, Durant noted that he, Harden and Russell Westbrook ultimately reached their individual ceilings.
Haliburton wrestles with a midseason slump
The series chronicles Haliburton’s difficult first two months after limited minutes with Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Averaging 18.1 points and nine assists while Indiana started 16-18, the All-Star considered stepping away briefly, fearing his struggles were holding back the Pacers. A January conversation with skills coach Drew Hanlen and a 28-point performance against San Antonio in Paris helped him regain confidence, setting the stage for Indiana’s unexpected run to the NBA Finals.
Coach Carlisle versus the cameras
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is repeatedly shown complaining about Netflix crews in Indiana’s facilities, calling the constant presence “a pain.”
Gilgeous-Alexander leans on Chris Paul
Gilgeous-Alexander’s close relationship with former teammate Chris Paul is a recurring theme. After Aaron Gordon’s game-winner lifted Denver over Oklahoma City in the second-round opener, the Thunder star immediately FaceTimed Paul to dissect the final possessions. Paul later attended Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against Minnesota, sitting courtside beside Gilgeous-Alexander’s wife and joining the guard for dinner afterward.
Wild swings in the NBA Finals
Episode time is devoted to Indiana’s Game 1 comeback in the Finals. Trailing by 15 in the fourth quarter, the Pacers opted against a timeout after a Gilgeous-Alexander miss, allowing Haliburton to dribble into a right-wing jumper that stunned the Thunder and stole the opener.
Game 7 heartbreak
The cameras were on Haliburton when he ruptured his Achilles just minutes into the decisive Game 7. Mic’d up, he explained that he tried to drive past Gilgeous-Alexander and instantly knew the injury’s severity. Determined to mimic Kobe Bryant’s 2013 walk-off, Haliburton insisted on leaving the court under his own power before breaking down in the locker room. He watched the remainder of the contest on a trainer’s-room monitor, urging teammates to “make it worth it.” Oklahoma City prevailed 103-91 to capture the championship.
Source: ESPN.com
