Best duos in the NBA: The 10 best one-two punches in the NBA right now

Best duos in the NBA: The 10 best one-two punches in the NBA right now

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM

The top NBA teams have always had the best duos in the NBA, even though we are currently in a big-three era. Why do you need a third wheel when your two-star players can score, defend, and lead your team to victories?

best duos in the nba right now
LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers react as they trail the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter on October 22, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How
Source: Getty Images

Famous NBA players frequently discuss the possibility of forming a superteam to increase their chances of winning a championship. From the list of ranking the ten best one-two punches in the NBA right now, let us see who the NBA's greatest duos are.

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo stats

Khris Middleton stats

Total

Points per game (PPG)

27.7

23.2

50.9

Rebounds per game (RPG)

12.5

7.4

19.9

Assists per game (APG)

5.9

4.1

10

Steals per game (SPG)

1.2

1.5

2.7

The Milwaukee Bucks finished with the best record in the NBA regular season. Giannis has won the MVP award and looks like a lock to do so again. In addition, he was recently honoured as the season's best defensive player.

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best duos in the nba right now
Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles around a screen set by Antetokounmpo #34 on Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings on March 16, 2022, in Sacramento, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images

Khris Middleton came close to a 50-40-90 season in the first year of his first large long-term contract, averaging 20.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He did not buckle under the moment's weight or become complacent; rather, he improved. There is a lot of support for these two guys on the wing.

9. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum stats

Jaylen Brown stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

16.5

21.0

37.5

Rebounds per game (RPG)

4.9

6.6

11.5

Assists per game (APG)

2.0

3.0

5.0

Steals per game (SPG)

0.9

1.1

1.0

best duos in the nba 2022
T.J. Warren #1 of the Indiana Pacers loses the ball to Jaylen Brown #7, and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics defend on December 29, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Michael Hickey
Source: Getty Images

Tatum and Brown, who the Boston Celtics took with the No. 3 overall choice in consecutive years, are now major contributors to the team's success. Despite being younger than their teammates, Tatum and Brown have emerged as offensive pillars this season.

They make astute, effective shots and boldly connect on unforced looks. Since Tatum is only 22 and Brown is only 23, this pair is already winning and has plenty of time to develop into a championship contender. They are among the famous NBA duos.

8. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler stats

Bam Adebayor stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

20.9

13.5

34.4

Rebounds per game (RPG)

6.5

8.3

14.8

Assists per game (APG)

6.2

3.5

9.7

Steals per game (SPG)

1.8

1.0

2.8

best duos in the nba all time
Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat defend Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers on October 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Photo: Douglas P. DeFelice
Source: Getty Images

The Miami Heat's 2019–20 offence is most notable for how well it flows. Butler and Adebayo have reached new highs in assists per game (APG), with their current totals of 6 and 5.1, respectively. Despite playing different roles, each player has the skills necessary to control the ball and involve their teammates.

Adebayo will run dribble handoffs with the Heat's deadly guards, but Butler prefers to drive, kick, or drop off. These athletes can score and cause defensive chaos with their pressure and length.

7. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic stats

Kristaps Porzingis

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

26.4

20.0

46.4

Rebounds per game (RPG)

8.5

8.8

17.3

Assists per game (APG)

8.0

1.8

9.8

Steals per game (SPG)

1.1

0.6

1.7

best young duos in the nba
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in front of Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers and Kristaps Porzingis #6 on May 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How
Source: Getty Images

Doncic and Porzingis form what is perhaps the most dangerous tandem in the NBA under the age of 25. First, there's Doncic, an undeniable superstar talent who can do everything for his team: pass, rebound, drive, shoot, and score. His 7-foot-3 teammate, the true Unicorn Porzingis, plays with an air of assurance.

The Latvian giant opens the court wonderfully for Doncic to penetrate with his knife. Also, he can take advantage of mismatches by getting to the block and shooting over the top, and his stature makes him a handful for any defence.

6. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard stats

CJ McCollum stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

24.6

19.0

43.6

Rebounds per game (RPG)

4.2

3.4

7.6

Assists per game (APG)

6.6

3.4

10.0

Steals per game (SPG)

1.0

0.9

1.9

who are the best duos in nba history
Bogdan #8 of the Sacramento Kings being guarded by McCollum #3 and D. Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers on January 1, 2019, in Sacramento, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images

Without this dynamic combo, it is impossible to think about the Portland Trail Blazers. Although they play very different styles of offence, Lillard and McCollum can be compared to a lighter version of Portland's "Splash brothers."

Pull-up threes are a favourite among these guys, and they seem to take matters into their own hands more often than their Bay Area colleagues. Both players are reliable and have helped lead Terry Stotts and company to victory in several nail-biters.

5. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving stats

Kevin Durant stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

27.0

28.8

55.8

Rebounds per game (RPG)

4.7

7.2

11.9

Assists per game (APG)

6.0

6.0

12.0

Steals per game (SPG)

1.4

0.8

2.2

famous nba duos
Evan Mobley, #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers, looks to pass as Kyrie Irving, #11 and Kevin Durant, #7 of the Brooklyn Nets, defend the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photo: Sarah Stier
Source: Getty Images

To convert early and often, Irving uses a variety of angles off the glass to captivate onlookers and get entry to the building. He's also one of the few players that can pull off a back-down, turnaround fadeaway. Like a human bucket, Durant can easily navigate the court. He's got incredible range and can score from deep. He could decide to fire from out of bounds during a single play.

He will stop on a dime in the upcoming play and drain a jumper from about midcourt. After that, he will slam-dunk you. Once Uncle Drew and KD find their rhythm as a team, they might be scary. The possibilities are vast.

4. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry stats

Klay Thompson stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

24.3

19.5

43.8

Rebounds per game (RPG)

4.6

3.5

8.1

Assists per game (APG)

6.5

2.3

8.8

Steals per game (SPG)

1.7

0.9

2.6

nba greatest duos
James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets drives on Stephen Curry #30 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors on April 16, 2016, in Oakland, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images

The Splash Brothers have tormented defences alongside Draymond Green for nearly a decade. Curry is constantly on the move, scanning the court for an open pass while drawing his defender with him and creating space for his teammates.

Thompson is constantly prepared for catch-and-shoot situations on the wing. He rarely puts the ball on the floor but is unbelievably proficient at setting his feet, squaring up, and sinking threes off screens. As a defender, he's a nuisance both with and without the ball.

Curry is a two-time NBA MVP winner. Curry and Thompson reached the NBA Finals five years in a row and won three championships. It is too bad that injuries derailed their season, but with Andrew Wiggins and the second overall choice in the upcoming draft, they will be back stronger than ever in 2020-21. They are among the best young duos in the NBA.

3. James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets

James Harden

Russell Westbrook

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

29.6

27.2

56.8

Rebounds per game (RPG)

6.0

7.9

13.9

Assists per game (APG)

7.7

7.0

14.7

Steals per game (SPG)

1.8

1.6

3.4

best duos in the nba right now
Shai #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives the ball as Russell Westbrook #0 and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets on September 02, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Photo: Mike Ehrmann
Source: Getty Images

Despite their differences, both guards in the Houston Rockets' backcourt are former league MVPs capable of rapid fire. On the one hand, Harden is a long-range assassin who uses his shooting to demolish opponents from deep and his quickness to score in the paint from the short corner. He is a patient, methodical player who can draw fouls and find the drop-off to the roll man with the best of them.

Westbrook's playstyle is nearly opposed to that of Harden. He never lets up on the gas from the opening whistle until the final horn. Despite his advanced age, no one can keep up with him on an open court. After gaining even a small advantage over you, he will unleash a burst like no other. They deserve to be one of the best duos in the NBA.

2. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, LA Clippers

Kawhi Leonard stats

Paul George stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

26.0

22.9

48.9

Rebounds per game (RPG)

6.8

6.3

13.1

Assists per game (APG)

5.0

4.8

9.8

Steals per game (SPG)

1.7

1.5

3.2

best duos in the nba 2022
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) helps LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) off the floor during first-half action against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Photo: Robert Gauthier
Source: Getty Images

One by one, these stout defenders are a nightmare to strategize against. They make each other almost impossible to decipher. Their length makes it difficult for opposing teams to create passing lanes. Both players have their hands in the opposing players' shirts to steal the ball. They are the greatest backcourt duo in NBA history.

However, they are also dangerous three-point shooters who can completely change the momentum of a game. Leonard is at his best while driving to the basket, where he can draw fouls and set up his stepback from 15 feet with a tight grip. When the defence tightens up on Leonard, George becomes more of a perimeter threat, though he can and does play in the lane.

This is a formidable duo on both sides of the court, as both players can make quick cuts off the ball, hit from long range, and set up teammates with assists. This combination is one of the best duos in the NBA 2022.

1. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James stats

Anthony Davis stats

Totals

Points per game (PPG)

27.0

24.2

51.2

Rebounds per game (RPG)

8.1

9.1

17.2

Assists per game (APG)

8.2

3.1

11.3

Steals per game (SPG)

1.2

1.4

2.6

best duos in the nba all time
Los Angeles Lakers Forward Anthony Davis (3) and Los Angeles Clippers Forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defend Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James (23) in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: by Brian Rothmuller
Source: Getty Images

You have never seen a forward and a big man run a pick-and-roll as efficiently as LeBron and AD. Doing anything to prevent a 7-footer with a 7-foot-6 wingspan from making a great pocket pass and rolling hard to the basket or contesting him when he extends the floor is an uphill battle. LeBron and Anthony are the best duos in the NBA right now.

Who are the best duos in NBA history?

For the Bulls, Jordan and Pippen were exceptional, helping them win six championships while also playing outstanding defence. They played 11 years together and are undoubtedly the two greatest players of all time.

Successful squads are typically formed around one game-changing player and his reliable supporting cast. This formula for success has spawned several best duos in the NBA.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.