Who to Watch in NBA Play-Offs Without James, Curry & Durant?

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant all have one thing in common this summer - they will not be in the second round of the NBA play-offs.

It is the first time that has happened since the 2009-10 season.

With three of the greatest players of all time out of contention, a new generation of stars is preparing to step up to the top of the game.

So, who should we be keeping an eye on as we get deeper into the play-offs?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s front office could not have envisaged the meteoric rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when they traded for him in 2019.

Joining after a season for the LA Clippers where he averaged just under 11 points, he has finished this term as a nominee for the regular season MVP award.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been the focal point of Oklahoma’s rise to the top of the Western Conference, bettering last season's campaign where they did not make the play-offs.

The 25-year-old is right up there in terms of offensive output, hitting 30.4 points per game - the second-highest in the league.

But at the other end, he is just as strong on defense with an average of two steals per match.

His skills in isolation, in transition, and the pick and roll have stood out.

The young Thunder squad, known for not only their on-court brilliance but also their impressive post-game barking, and external, have made waves in the league this year and pulled off a clean sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round.