In a year full of disruption and irregularity, it might not be a coincidence to see the NBA’s most resourceful and frequently used five-man unit flourish in the Finals. During the regular season, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton appeared in a league-high 52 games (seven more than any other unit) with a league-high 706 minutes (50 more than the runner-up: Philadelphia’s starting lineup—which was eventually done in by Danny Green’s strained calf).
That volume has stretched into the playoffs, where even through Paul’s injured shoulder and positive Covid-19 test, Phoenix’s starting five has still tallied 84 more minutes and 225 more points than any other group.