15 NBA coaches and players whose images were tarnished during the postseason

 

15 NBA coaches and players whose images were tarnished during the postseason Only one team finishes the postseason truly satisfied, and the 2025 NBA Playoffs were no exception leaving a trail of disappointment in their wake. In this breakdown, we spotlight 15 players and coaches whose reputations took the hardest hit during the playoff run. All statistics are courtesy of Basketball Reference:

1) Mikal Bridges – New York Knicks The Knicks made a bold move last summer, trading five unprotected first-round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges a price that immediately set high expectations. While the cost wasn’t his doing, Bridges fell well short of delivering in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. He faced frequent criticism for his offensive decision-making, particularly for opting for contested fadeaway jumpers instead of taking more efficient shots at the rim leaving fans and analysts questioning his ability to lead in high-stakes moments.

J.J. Redick – Los Angeles Lakers Following the Lakers’ first-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach J.J. Redick came under heavy scrutiny. Speaking to The Orange County Register, Redick admitted that playing the same five players for the entire second half “was not a planned thing.” Fans and analysts alike slammed the decision, arguing it led to visible fatigue for stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić, ultimately hampering the team’s chances in the series.

Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies were swept out of the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder in convincing fashion, yet Ja Morant had a different perspective. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, he said, “I had them figured out. Going out for Game 3, not being able to play was frustrating because that win right there could’ve made this totally different.” Given the lopsided nature of the series, many were quick to challenge that claim arguing that the outcome likely wouldn’t have changed, even with Morant on the floor.

Doc Rivers – Milwaukee Bucks When the Bucks dismissed Adrian Griffin midseason to bring in Doc Rivers, the expectation was that his experience would translate to postseason success. Instead, Milwaukee suffered a first-round exit for the second straight year under Rivers’ leadership. For critics who view Rivers as an overrated coach with underwhelming playoff results, this latest disappointment only adds fuel to the fire.

James Harden – Los Angeles Clippers James Harden’s postseason struggles have become a recurring storyline, and the 2025 playoffs were no exception. The Clippers counted on him to deliver in high-stakes moments, but when it mattered most Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets Harden came up short, shooting just 2-of-8 from the field in a disappointing loss. For a player of his caliber, repeated failures under pressure continue to weigh heavily on his legacy.

Jamahl Mosley – Orlando Magic While few expected the Magic to seriously challenge the Boston Celtics in their first-round matchup, Orlando's stagnant offense once again drew criticism. Though the roster lacks elite scoring talent, it’s increasingly concerning that head coach Jamahl Mosley hasn’t found creative solutions to jumpstart the team’s offensive game. As The Ringer’s Zach Lowe speculated, Mosley could quietly find himself on the hot seat if the Magic continue to show little progress on that end of the floor.

Jalen Green – Houston Rockets As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jalen Green entered the league with lofty expectations. But in his first taste of playoff basketball during the 2025 postseason, he struggled to rise to the occasion. Green scored 12 or fewer points in six of the Rockets’ seven games, raising serious concerns about his consistency and long-term fit with the team. With Houston aiming to take the next step, his underwhelming performance will only intensify speculation about a potential blockbuster trade.

Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks The New York Knicks enjoyed their best season in decades, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. However, despite this achievement, the team dismissed their head coach just days after the season concluded. According to Yahoo Sports’ Mike Fisher, “In a very real sense, coach Rick Carlisle’s Pacers got Thibs fired.” Throughout critical moments of the season, Thibodeau appeared to be a step behind Indiana’s strategy.

Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves Naz Reid is set to earn a significant payday in the 2025 offseason, a reward that reflects his status as one of the NBA’s top sixth men. However, his performance in the Western Conference Finals raised some concerns. Facing the Thunder’s relentless defense, Reid struggled to find his rhythm and make an impact.

Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported that Kyle Kuzma joined an exclusive and unfortunate club as only the sixth player in NBA history to record zero counting stats in a playoff game while playing 20 minutes or more. This performance fell far short of Milwaukee’s expectations when they acquired him as the centerpiece of the Khris Middleton trade. As a result of that historically poor outing, Kuzma has become something of a punchline.

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers Darius Garland’s reputation took a significant hit during the 2025 playoffs. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith questioned the severity of Garland’s toe injury after he missed several postseason games, sparking debate about how serious the ailment truly was. Regardless, Garland was thoroughly overshadowed at the point guard spot by Tyrese Haliburton during Cleveland’s second-round series against the Pacers.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks In April 2025, Defector’s Patrick Redford published a piece titled “Jalen Brunson is the NBA’s premier falling-down artist.” This storyline gained momentum during the playoffs, with fans across the league closely scrutinizing Brunson’s reactions to contact. Although he delivered several clutch moments for the Knicks, his style of play has drawn criticism from many.

Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic While Orlando’s offensive struggles were mentioned in the Jamahl Mosley section, it’s worth focusing on one key player. For the Magic to progress further in the Eastern Conference, Wagner needs to improve his perimeter shooting. The forward’s dismal 18 percent from beyond the arc in the first round is simply unacceptable for a player of his talent.

Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Once again, Draymond Green found himself at the center of controversy during the postseason. His wild swings of arms and legs frequently made contact with opponents’ faces or other sensitive areas, sparking frustration among NBA fans. Green picked up his fifth technical foul of the playoffs after hitting Naz Reid in the face during the second round. After the game, Green attributed his troubles to an overarching narrative surrounding his style of play.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics The Celtics find themselves in a tough spot following the 2025 playoffs. Not only were they eliminated earlier than anticipated in the second round, but star forward Jayson Tatum could miss the entire next season due to a torn Achilles. In a crucial Game 6 against the Knicks, with Boston facing elimination, Brown had the opportunity to step up and prove himself as a top-tier star. Instead, he fouled out, and the Celtics were decisively defeated.

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