(🎥 @nba, @usabasketball)
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs heat up, there’s a surprising storyline grabbing attention—not about who’s in, but who’s left. Out of the star-studded roster that represented the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games, only two players remain standing: Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards.
Let that sink in.
From a team filled with elite-level talent—MVPs, All-Stars, and future Hall of Famers—it’s the 24-year-old Haliburton and 23-year-old Edwards who are still fighting for a championship ring. The Olympic roster was supposed to be the embodiment of basketball dominance. Instead, it now serves as a stark reminder of how unpredictable, brutal, and beautifully chaotic the NBA postseason can be.
The 2024 Olympic Team: A Reminder of Star Power
Last summer, Team USA entered the Olympics in Paris with a mission: reclaim global basketball supremacy. The roster was a who’s-who of American talent—Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Bam Adebayo, and others joined Haliburton and Edwards under Coach Steve Kerr’s leadership.
It was a team built for gold, and they delivered. Edwards led the team in scoring during several contests, showcasing his emerging star status. Haliburton, meanwhile, served as a facilitator and spark off the bench, displaying maturity well beyond his years.
Fast forward to the 2025 NBA Playoffs—and that golden team has almost entirely disappeared from contention.
LeBron’s Lakers? Eliminated.
Curry’s Warriors? Didn’t make it past the Play-In.
Booker and Durant’s Suns? Out in the first round.
Tatum and the Celtics? Upset in a shocking conference semifinal.
Bam’s Heat? Gone early.
The battlefield has changed. And standing tall amidst the rubble are two rising stars who are making the leap from Olympic role players to postseason headliners.
Tyrese Haliburton: The Cerebral Floor General
After leading the league in assists during the regular season, Tyrese Haliburton has brought his elite vision and unselfishness into the postseason spotlight. As the face of the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton has transformed the franchise into a fast-paced, high-IQ machine that mirrors his own style of play.
He’s not the flashiest name from Team USA, but he’s proving to be one of the most effective. His ability to control tempo, create shots for others, and drain timely threes has made him a nightmare for defenses. More than just a passer, he’s emerging as a leader—a player you can build around in both the regular season and the playoffs.
His performance against some of the league’s top backcourts has been nothing short of surgical. The composure he’s shown on the big stage echoes the poise he had while wearing USA across his chest in Paris. Haliburton isn’t just built for Olympic basketball—he’s built for moments like this.
Anthony Edwards: The Ascension of a Superstar
If Haliburton is the brain, then Anthony Edwards is pure fire. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard has taken the leap from young talent to full-fledged superstar. His postseason performances have included monster dunks, clutch jumpers, and defensive stops that leave fans and analysts speechless.
Edwards was already considered the emotional heartbeat of Team USA during the Olympics, but now he’s become something even more powerful—a player who genuinely believes he’s the best on the floor every night, and backs it up with play that demands respect.
He’s drawing comparisons to legends—MJ, Wade, Kobe—not just because of his athleticism, but because of his attitude. He plays with purpose, with joy, and with fire. And the playoffs have been his proving ground.
While veterans from the Olympic roster are taking early vacations, Edwards is putting up 30-point games and leading the Wolves to their deepest playoff run in two decades.
Changing of the Guard?
The 2024 Olympic team symbolized a bridge between generations. On one side: the old guard—LeBron, Curry, KD. On the other: the new wave—Edwards, Haliburton, maybe Tatum and Booker in between.
But as the dust settles in these playoffs, it’s becoming clear: the future is now.
Edwards and Haliburton aren’t just the last two men standing from Team USA—they might be the new faces of American basketball. Their youth, fearlessness, and ability to rise in high-pressure moments are exactly what the NBA and USA Basketball need as they prepare for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The Unexpected Storyline That’s Now Center Stage
The narrative going into this postseason wasn’t supposed to be about Haliburton or Edwards. It was supposed to be about legacy—can LeBron get one more ring? Can Curry do it without a stacked roster? Can Durant silence the doubters?
But basketball doesn’t follow scripts.
Instead, we’re watching two young stars, forged in the fires of Olympic competition, take center stage in the league’s most intense moments. They’re carrying the torch—not because it was handed to them, but because they grabbed it and ran.
So as you watch the remaining playoff battles unfold, remember: out of all the legends and stars who wore red, white, and blue last summer, it’s Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards who are still here, still hungry, and still shining.
And that deserves a moment of awe. 😯
