Ranking 10 Best NBA Duos of All Time

Basketball certainly is a team vs team play where individuals shine, but there are some cases where the partnership of two players helped clinch victory. Said partnership can be both on-court and off-court. These NBA’s greatest duos can be teammates or NBA father-son duos. However, today we will discuss some of the best NBA duos of all time during the matches.

10 NBA Best Duos Right Now

Even in today’s game, duos have become paramount to team success. While not every team needs a strong duo to survive and thrive, having a one-two punch often leads to sustained success as long as both players remain effective not only individually, but with each other.

#10. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle form a dynamic duo for the New York Knicks. In the NBA Brunson’s playmaking skills and Randle’s scoring plus rebounding abilities make them a nightmare to defend. Both NBA players earned an All-Star selection whilst averaging a combined 52.7 points per game last season. Somewhere the success in the league does lie in the hands of these players and their chemistry on and off the court.

The duo also got off to a great start last season until a season-ending injury to Randle midway through the season derailed their momentum. The Knicks still made it to the second round of the playoffs, but Brunson could only do so much without Randle. His scoring potential may have been unleashed in Randle’s absence, but the pressure of being the lone creator got to him in the playoffs. His shooting is also much better when Randle is on the floor creating those looks for him. However, recently Julius Randle was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves bringing this on-court partnership to an end.

Category	Stats
Games	44
Points	78.1
FG%	48.4%

#9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren’s playmaking makes them the dynamic duo for Okhla City Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game across 75 games this season. Holmgren was a finalist for Rookie of the Year this feat cemented his skill as a newcomer. The duo’s chemistry on and off the court has been impressive, Gilgeous-Alexander is a point guard, while Holmgren is a center. 

Holmgren as a pick-and-pop five spacing the floor for a downhill master like SGA is an ideal situation, especially with the fast-emerging Jalen Williams on the wing. All of it together makes the Thunder one of the toughest teams to stop in the Association, and the West favorites this season. If they make a run to the Finals, fans will start to think of Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren as a duo. As they are young we don’t have an exact net rating for the two man lineup.

Also Read: Top 10 Heaviest NBA Players: Shaquille O’Neal, Nikola Jokic and More

#8. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo form a dynamic duo for the Miami Heat. They’re the first teammates in NBA history to record triple-doubles in the same game more than once. They have taken the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals twice in the last five seasons, along with an Eastern Conference Finals run. They run the occasional pick and roll, and a few actions here and there, but they’re not a true guard and big duo.

Butler was on the sidelines when the Miami Heat lost in the first round of the playoffs last season. But he still played 60 regular season games and looked like a reminder of his true self, even if his scoring took a step back. Adebayo also had a great season as he finally took a step toward expanding his offensive arsenal.

Category	Stats
Games	50
Points	52.6
FG%	48.1%
Net Rating	+4.7

#7. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker, the young talent who captured the hearts of Phoenix Suns fans and became the face of the franchise, and the 36-year-old Kevin Durant have united to form one of the most formidable duos in NBA history.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned, and the fit didn’t look great. Durant was reportedly unhappy with being “relegated to the corner.” So, before it gets worse, the Phoenix Suns need to let him and Booker run the offense like they did in the 2023 playoffs. They are still two of the deadliest playoff performers around, so if they can get going, the Phoenix Suns can make a deep run again.

Category	Stats
Games	61
Points	70.9
FG%	51.2%
Net Rating	+5.7

#6. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised everyone when they pulled off an unexpected blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard last offseason. On paper, it seemed like a partnership between him and Giannis Antetokounmpo would be perfect; the Greek Freak who can destroy any paint defense paired with Lillard, one of the greatest shooters of his generation.

Lillard, who struggled with personal issues all year, will be eager to prove that last season was an anomaly. Antetokounmpo, who gained some valuable experience playing off-ball with the Greek national team during the Olympics, will be hoping to use that on the court with Lillard. So, with a proper offseason and training camp to build that chemistry now, the Bucks duo could become a scary sight in the East.

Category	Stats
Games	65
Points	70.6
FG%	50.8%
Net Rating	+10.2

#5. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers went through a major transition last season when they lost their second-best player James Harden, and also their coach. But what they gained was one of the best coaches they’ve had in years in Nick Nurse, and a budding partnership between their young star Tyrese Maxey and their MVP, Joel Embiid.

Finally emerging from Harden’s shadow, Maxey had his first All-Star season while Embiid battled injuries. But in the limited time they played together, they were one of the best-scoring duos in the league with great chemistry. The 76ers made a big splash to acquire Paul George now, making it a “Big 3,” but he’s not the same player he once was, even if the money says otherwise.

Category	Stats
Games	36
Points	69.2
FG%	48.7%
Net Rating	+12.4

#4. Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving didn’t make sense as a duo when the original trade was made in February 2023. The offense was in disarray as the Dallas Mavericks also missed the playoffs. But after spending an offseason together, Dončić and Irving returned with a vengeance. It takes a massive defensive effort to match up against an elite ball handler who can knock down big shots. Before the trade, Dončić was the only ball handler capable of leading the offense, especially in the big moments, inevitably, that made him tired and predictable at times.

But since Irving’s arrival, when Dončić struggles, the Mavs’ offense doesn’t grind to a halt because the former Duke star can take over. Though, when Irving needs a breather, the Mavs have arguably the second-best player in the league to take over.

Category	Stats
Games	51
Points	64.5
FG%	49.8%
Net Rating	+10.5

Also Read: 10 Best NBA Players of All Time: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and More

#3. LeBron James and Anthony Davies, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and Anthony Davis joined forces in 2019 after the L.A. Lakers made a massive trade to land the former Kentucky star. The Los Angeles Lakers won a championship with this duo in 2020. LeBron is one of the most experienced playoff players in NBA history, with numerous Finals appearances and championships. His leadership and experience can elevate the performance of his teammates. Davis has also proven himself in the playoffs, particularly during the 2020 Finals.

Overall, the combination of complementary skills, and established chemistry, led the duo to be compared to Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George and two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard. Unfortunately for them, the next four seasons after their title win was plagued by injuries. However, their versatility on both ends still makes them an elite duo capable of taking over a game on their own.

Category	Stats
Games	66
Points	65.4
FG%	51.4%
Net Rating	+3.4

#2. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been one of the best duos in recent years, but they were officially stamped when they won the 2023 NBA championship together. Even if Murray took it easy during the regular season, he would step up in the playoffs and the Denver Nuggets duo would be unstoppable.

Murray’s playmaking isn’t as good as Jokic’s, but they both take turns finding each other on the floor and punishing opposing defenses. Murray’s playmaking isn’t as good as Jokic’s, but they both take turns finding each other on the floor and punishing opposing defenses. Despite the Nuggets roster falling behind with every offseason while their rivals have continued to improve, they still have a chance as long as their two stars can dial in during the postseason.

Category	Stats
Games	58
Points	63.1
FG%	53.7%
Net Rating	+15.3

#1. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

For six years, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown made one deep run in the East after another, including an appearance in the NBA Finals, but there were still fans calling for a split. But all that talk was put to an end when they led the Boston Celtics to their 18th championship last season.

Tatum and Brown are arguably the best two-way duo in the league. They may not play off each other like a classic duo but still get the work done. The Boston Celtics are favorites to repeat this season, and the Jays are the main reason for those odds. After Brown won the Finals MVP last season, the duo could make history if Tatum wins the award this time, becoming the first teammates to win back-to-back Finals MVPs since 1990. With both locked up through the 2028-29 season, the Jays could end their careers as one of the best duos the league has ever seen.

Category	Stats
Games	64
Points	61.9
FG%	49.3%
Net Rating	+8.0

Also Read: Ranking 10 Best Point Guards in NBA History