Oklahoma City basketball fans have a brand-new reason to mark their calendars and clear their schedules: Netflix’s hit NBA docuseries Starting 5 is set to return for a highly anticipated second season, and this time, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is front and center. The streaming giant announced that all eight episodes of the new season will debut exclusively on Netflix on Thursday, October 16, 2025—just days before the Thunder begin their 2025-26 NBA title defense.
It’s hard to imagine a more fitting subject for a season-long deep dive than Gilgeous-Alexander, whose 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of historic. The Oklahoma City Thunder, powered by their dynamic guard, finished with a jaw-dropping 68-14 regular-season record, the best in the league and a new franchise high. Even more impressive, they set an NBA record for the largest point differential, outscoring opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game—a stat that speaks volumes about their dominance.
But the regular season was just the beginning. The Thunder’s journey through the playoffs was a rollercoaster ride that culminated in a dramatic NBA Finals showdown against the Indiana Pacers. The series went the distance, with each team trading blows in a back-and-forth battle that had basketball fans glued to their screens. When the dust finally settled, it was Oklahoma City hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy after a decisive Game 7, with Gilgeous-Alexander collecting both the league’s Most Valuable Player and NBA Finals MVP honors. As if that weren’t enough, he also secured his third straight scoring title, averaging over 30 points per game with remarkable efficiency.
Now, with Starting 5 Season 2, fans will get an unprecedented look behind the curtain at Gilgeous-Alexander’s record-setting year. Produced by UNINTERRUPTED in partnership with Omaha Productions and Higher Ground Productions, the docuseries promises to blend on-court action with intimate glimpses into the personal lives of its stars. Each of the eight new episodes will run about 45 minutes, offering plenty of time to unpack the triumphs, setbacks, and everyday moments that defined the season for these NBA icons.
Joining Gilgeous-Alexander in the spotlight are four other NBA superstars who shaped the 2024-25 season: Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, and James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s a star-studded lineup that reflects the league’s current landscape, and the series will follow each player’s journey through the highs and lows of a grueling NBA campaign.
For Oklahoma City, the timing couldn’t be better. The Thunder’s championship run has injected new energy into the city, and fans are already snapping up single-game tickets for the first half of the 2025-26 season, which went on sale the same week as Netflix’s big announcement. With the team hoping to become one of the rare franchises to win back-to-back titles, the documentary serves as both a celebration of last year’s achievements and a tantalizing preview of what’s to come.
Looking back, the first season of Starting 5 set a high bar by chronicling the lives of LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum during the 2023-24 NBA season. That inaugural run offered fans a unique perspective on the personal and professional challenges faced by the league’s elite, from injury setbacks to family responsibilities and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Season 2 aims to build on that foundation, with director Peter Scalettar emphasizing the show’s universal appeal: “That was sort of driving us—the idea that as much as these are guys we hold on a pedestal, guys who we think we know everything about because of social media, there’s a whole lot more than that... Being able to see them at home, see them as dads, as family men, as regular people. At the end of the day, it makes it really relatable, and it’s kind of fun to go, ‘Oh yeah, LeBron’s just like me.’”
For Gilgeous-Alexander, the upcoming season of Starting 5 is more than just a highlight reel of basketball brilliance. It’s a chance to share the untold stories behind his meteoric rise, from the sacrifices made off the court to the pressure of carrying a franchise’s championship hopes. Thunder fans will get to relive iconic moments from the regular season and postseason, witness the camaraderie and tension in the locker room, and see how SGA balanced the demands of superstardom with his personal life.
Of course, the series isn’t just for die-hard Thunder supporters. With fellow cast members like Kevin Durant and James Harden—both former Oklahoma City stars now making their mark elsewhere—the show offers something for fans across the league. Tyrese Haliburton’s inclusion is especially intriguing, given his role as Gilgeous-Alexander’s Finals rival and his emergence as one of the NBA’s brightest young talents. Jaylen Brown, fresh off a championship of his own in 2024, adds another layer of intrigue to the mix.
For those eager to tune in, Netflix remains the exclusive home for Starting 5. Subscribers can choose from a range of plans, starting at $7.99 per month for the Standard with Ads package, which allows streaming on two devices in 1080p. The Standard plan, at $17.99 per month, removes ads and adds unlimited mobile games, while the Premium tier, priced at $24.99 per month, offers 4K Ultra HD streaming and downloads on up to six devices. Each plan provides access to the full slate of Starting 5 episodes, along with Netflix’s extensive library of movies and TV shows.
As the Thunder prepare to raise their championship banner and chase another title, Starting 5 Season 2 is poised to capture the hearts of basketball fans everywhere. Whether you’re reliving the magic of Oklahoma City’s historic run or following the personal journeys of the NBA’s biggest stars, this season promises a compelling blend of drama, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes access that’s not to be missed.
With the new NBA season just around the corner and anticipation at a fever pitch, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Starting 5. The action tips off October 16—don’t miss your chance to witness history all over again, this time from a whole new perspective.
