Former NBA player leaves Lakers' LeBron James, Luka Doncic off key list during playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves 1-3 in their playoff series, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic yet to perform at their best. Former NBA player Chandler Parsons did not include James and Doncic in his list of top NBA duos currently in the playoffs. Instead, Parsons selected pairs like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics, and Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets. Parsons acknowledged that despite Jamal Murray's regular season struggles due to injuries, his playoff performances, including multiple 40-point games, were noteworthy. The absence of James and Doncic from Parsons' list is significant as they are regarded as one of the best superstar duos in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers face potential elimination as they trail 1-3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with key players LeBron James and Luka Doncic underperforming.
Chandler Parsons, a former NBA player, compiled a list of the best duos in the playoffs, notably excluding James and Doncic despite their superstar status.
Parsons' top duos included Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, and Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were highlighted by Parsons, with Murray's playoff excellence overshadowing his injury-plagued regular season.
Parsons recognized Murray's significant impact in the playoffs, noting his impressive record of achieving more 40-point games than any other player in Nuggets history.
The exclusion of James and Doncic from the list is notable given their reputation as one of the top duos in the NBA, raising questions about their current form.
Parsons' list was based on the performance of players remaining in the current playoff season, focusing on those making a significant impact.
The Los Angeles Lakers currently trail the Minnesota Timberwolves 1-3 in their series. LeBron James and Luka Doncic are yet to perform at their best, and if they don't do so at the next game, the Lakers might get sent home packing.
James and Doncic are among the best superstar duos in the NBA at the moment. However, the pair haven't made the cut in former NBA star Chandler Parsons' list of best duos in the league at the moment.
Parsons played for teams like the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Atlanta Hawks during his career. Read on to know which duos he picked as the best.
Chandler Parsons leaves out LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Starting off in Parsons' list was the Boston Celtics' pair of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He then picked the Oklahoma City Thunder duo of Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Parsons' third pick was not so straightforward. He went with the Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, or Evan Mobley.
The New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were Parsons' fourth pick. The Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic concluded the top five.
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Parsons said about Murray and Jokic, "Jamal Murray's regular season struggle is because he's been banged up. He hasn't had the greatest regular season. But, when you have Jokic and then you have a guy like this who is capable of going, the fact that he has more 40-point games than Jokic or any Nugget ever, is so impressive."
Chandler Parsons top-5 duos in the playoffs:
β Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 30, 2025
- Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown
- SGA/Jalen Williams
- Donovan Mitchell/Darius Garland (or Mobley)
- Jalen Brunson/KAT
- Jamal Murray/Nikola Jokic
No Steph/Jimmy or Luka/LeBron on @ChandlerParsons' list π
Agree? pic.twitter.com/eqLzkE9VXd
It's worth noting that Parsons made the duo only on the pairs left in this season's playoffs. LeBron James and Luka Doncic's absence is certainly notable.
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