Denver still has the best player in the world in Nikola Jokić. With a exception of a down postseason from his running mate in 2024, Jokić and Jamal Murray are among the league's bigger playoff risers. And the Nuggets ending the season 3-0 under their interim coach could be more than the typical "new coach bump."

Luka Dončić carried the Dallas Mavericks to the Finals last season and has some of the most eye-popping all-time playoff stats in the league, averaging 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and eight assists over four postseason appearances.