Who Are the Best Point Guards in the NBA Right Now? Our Top Picks

When people ask me who the best point guards in the NBA are right now, I always find myself thinking about resilience. It reminds me of that incredible PLDT match I watched recently—you know, the one where they had to pull off multiple comebacks, particularly in the last two sets, to put away a gutsy Kobe Shinwa side in straight sets. That kind of relentless drive under pressure is exactly what separates good point guards from truly elite ones in today’s game. It’s not just about putting up big numbers; it’s about controlling the tempo, making clutch decisions, and elevating your team when it matters most. In my years covering the league, I’ve noticed that the best floor generals share that same comeback mentality—they don’t just run the offense, they rescue it.

Let’s start with Stephen Curry. Now, I know some critics argue he’s more of a combo guard, but to me, he’s the prototype of the modern NBA point guard. Last season, he averaged 29.4 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 42.7% from beyond the arc. But what really stands out is his impact during high-pressure moments. Remember Game 4 against the Celtics in the 2022 Finals? The Warriors were down by 4 with under three minutes left, and Curry took over—hitting a step-back three, drawing a double-team to free up a teammate, and sinking free throws to seal the win. That’s the PLDT-level comeback energy I’m talking about. He doesn’t just score; he demoralizes opponents with his poise. Personally, I think his ability to stretch defenses is almost unfair—defenders have to guard him from 30 feet out, which opens up the floor for everyone else. If you’re building a team from scratch, you’d be crazy not to consider him the gold standard.

Then there’s Luka Dončić. At just 24 years old, he’s already a walking triple-double threat. Last season, he put up 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game—numbers that place him in the same conversation as legends like Oscar Robertson. But here’s where my perspective might ruffle some feathers: I believe Luka’s court vision is even more valuable than his scoring. Watch any Mavericks game, and you’ll see him dissecting defenses like a chess master. In their playoff series against the Clippers, he repeatedly engineered comebacks by exploiting mismatches and finding open shooters in the corners. It’s that same strategic patience PLDT showed—waiting for the right moment to strike. However, I will admit his defense can be a liability at times. He’s not the quickest on his feet, and opponents often target him in pick-and-roll situations. Still, when you need someone to carry the offensive load and make everyone around him better, Luka is arguably the top choice.

I also have to give a shoutout to Chris Paul, even if he’s in the later stages of his career. The man is a maestro. Last season with the Suns, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 assists, but his real value lies in his leadership. I’ve seen him turn struggling teams into contenders just by his presence on the court. Take the 2021 playoffs: the Suns were down 2-1 to the Lakers, and Paul, playing through a shoulder injury, orchestrated a comeback by controlling the pace and limiting turnovers. That’s the kind of gutsy performance that echoes PLDT’s resilience. Sure, he’s lost a step physically, but his basketball IQ is off the charts. In my opinion, young guards should study his film—the way he uses the pick-and-roll is practically an art form.

But let’s not overlook Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s been a revelation for the Thunder, averaging 31.4 points and 5.5 assists last season. What impresses me most is his efficiency—he shot 51% from the field, which is ridiculous for a guard who takes as many tough shots as he does. I remember watching him dismantle the Nuggets defense single-handedly in overtime last March; he scored 10 points in the final three minutes, showing that same clutch gene we saw in PLDT’s comeback efforts. Some analysts argue he’s still underrated because he plays in a smaller market, but I think he’s a top-five point guard already. His combination of size, handles, and finishing ability around the rim is just special.

Of course, there are others deserving of mention—Trae Young with his flashy playmaking, or Damian Lillard with his deep-range bombs. But if I’m picking the best of the best, I’m leaning toward Curry and Dončić as 1A and 1B, with Gilgeous-Alexander closing in fast. What ties them all together is that ability to rally their teams, much like PLDT did against Kobe Shinwa. It’s not always about raw stats; it’s about making the right play when the game is on the line. As the NBA evolves, I expect we’ll see more point guards embracing this dual role of scorer and savior. But for now, these players have set the bar incredibly high.