The 2025 NBA playoffs are here, and while the postseason is often dominated by superstars, there’s no question that excellent bench contributors help determine who hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy. Let’s break down the best benches among the teams in the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Which NBA Team Has the Best Bench in the 2025 Playoffs?
While it is relatively easy to rank the starters on each team, the same cannot be said about the benches. After all, comparing larger groups of players is always more difficult. Be that as it may, here are the five bench units that stand out.
1) Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s starting lineup is one of the best in the league. However, a major reason for the team’s dominance is their depth, as their bench is full of productive players who are eager to step up when their number is called.
Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Jaylin Williams, among others have shown up when their team has needed them most. Whether it’s contributing as part of the second unit or sliding into the starting lineup when asked, these role players have been reliable and made their presence felt all season long.
The Thunder’s bench posted the best +/- of any second unit in the league this season (+4.1). OKC also had by far the best net rating (12.7) of any bench unit this year. This was in large part due to their dominant 106.6 defensive rating. The Thunder also led the league in bench assist-to-turnover ratio (2.29)
Although they will not be given the lion’s share of credit for OKC’s success, OKC’s bench pieces played a crucial role in the team’s NBA-best 68 wins.
2) Boston Celtics
Not only do the Boston Celtics have arguably the best starting lineup among the 2025 playoffs contenders, this team also has one of the best supporting units.
Payton Pritchard, Al Horford, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and others have ensured that there isn’t a significant dropoff when the Celtics’ star-studded starting five sits.
Among all second units, the Celtics’ bench posted the second-best net rating (9.4) and third-best +/- (+2.9) this season. But what makes Boston’s second unit so special is that Pritchard, Horford, Hauser, and Kornet have shown that they can step up into a larger role when needed, as they combined to start 80 games during the regular season.
Also, Boston’s bench was efficient, shooting 47.5% from the field (fourth-best in the NBA) and 38.5% from 3-point range (third-best). The Celtics’ talented bench is part of the reason why Boston is favored to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for a second year in a row.
3) Cleveland Cavaliers
Any team that finishes the regular season with more than 60 wins undoubtedly has a talented roster. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen obviously led the way for Cleveland this season, but the Cavaliers’ bench also stepped up on numerous occasions to help the team win games.
De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Isaac Okoro, Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr., Dean Wade, and others have played well for Cleveland this year, helping the Cavs post the second-best +/- of any bench unit in the league this season (+3.0). Cleveland’s bench led all second units in offensive rating (121), and they posted the third-best net rating (9.2) in the league.
Also, Cleveland’s second unit led the league in made 3-pointers (6.6) while posting an NBA-best 60.7% True Shooting percentage.
4) Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have been heavily underestimated heading into the playoffs despite finishing as the No. 2 seed in the West. This is largely due to the fact that the team doesn’t have much playoff experience and they don’t have a superstar — instead winning thanks to a well-rounded group that plays well as a cohesive unit.
The Rockets’ bench is no different, as they received crucial contributions from Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams, and Jae’Sean Tate.
The Rockets’ 53.3% rebound percentage led all second units, and their 110.3 defensive rating ranked fifth-best in the league. Houston can easily adapt to any style of play thanks to its array of contributors.
5) Los Angeles Clippers
An argument could be made that the Los Angeles Clippers were the best team in the NBA toward the end of the regular season.
While Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and the rest of the starting lineup are undoubtedly the reason the team has a ton of momentum entering the playoffs, having a deep bench has also gone a long way.
Ben Simmons, Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nicolas Batum, and others make the Clippers a scary team entering the postseason.
The Clippers had the third-best defensive rating (109.4) among all second units and the fifth-best net rating (109.4). This is a very experienced second unit that complements each other well.