Hoops Tonight - Top-10 NBA players SO FAR in 2025: Jokic, Shai, ????, Steph, Wemby, ????, Luka, Giannis, and more

Quick one today: Grizzlies–Timberwolves, then a step back for my top ten of the season so far. You know the drill—subscribe, drop a like, and send mailbag questions for Friday.

What happened in Memphis–Minnesota? The game tilted after halftime, with Minnesota briefly up before Memphis clamped down and held them to 36 points over the final 21 minutes.

Does Ant being out explain it? He matters a ton, but that group has scored well without him, and Memphis has been a top‑three defense during this nine‑of‑twelve surge.

Did shot luck play a role? Minnesota missed a few clean looks in the fourth, but Memphis’s guard pressure and rim help smothered drives and cut off rhythm.

Who swung it late on offense? A Memphis stretch big kept making open threes when Rudy sank to protect the rim, drilling three in the final seven minutes that felt like body blows.

Who was best on the floor? Jaren Jackson Jr. owned his matchup on both ends and put up 28 and 12 on efficient touch shots, carving out hooks and short jumpers with footwork and feel.

Why are the Grizzlies rolling? They’re piling up margins: plus points in the paint, plus in transition, and a bump on second‑chance chances, with two‑big looks and waves of perimeter defenders.

What’s their roster identity? Smart, competitive athletes who can guard, make reads, and fit the scheme; the front office keeps finding the same type and it shows in how connected they play.

Why do a top‑ten now, and what counts? About a third into the year, I weighed availability, on‑court impact, and team results—strictly this season.

Who’s at the back end? Anthony Edwards is scoring at career-best clips with better pacing to the rim, but he’s missed time and the record against winning teams drags him.

How about Tyrese Maxey? He’s taken a star leap with elite efficiency, low turnovers, and a lethal catch‑and‑shoot, even if off‑ball defense needs cleaning up.

Where does Steph land? Still a one‑man offense with absurd efficiency when he plays, but dings for missed games and a thin supporting cast.

And Victor Wembanyama? A defense-bending anchor who’s lifted his scoring and efficiency; missed games and turnovers versus swarming coverages keep him just a step lower.

What about Jalen Brunson? Career scoring on strong efficiency in a system that gives him more advantage attacks, and the offense craters when he sits.

Where does Giannis fit? He’s been brutally efficient and even hitting some threes, but availability pushes him beneath the absolute top tier for now.

Who’s fourth right now? Cade Cunningham has been a true engine with an elite on‑court offensive rating, clutch shotmaking, and twenty‑seven and nine on solid efficiency for a team leading the East.

How do you separate Luka and Shai today? Shai’s big jump in efficiency and slashed turnovers put him ahead, while Luka’s post‑hot‑start slide in shooting and giveaways feeds opponent transition despite his overall brilliance.

So who’s on top? Nikola Jokic is in his own lane with thirty, twelve, and eleven on outrageous efficiency; Denver’s offense explodes with him, and a simple post touch turns into points well over half the time.

That’s it for today—appreciate you all. Mailbag on Friday; I’ll see you then.