Top NBA Minutes Leaders of 2024-25: Will the Trend Continue?

Discover the top NBA players who led the league in minutes per game for the 2024-25 season, and see if they can maintain their role in 2025-26.

July 30, 2025

Top NBA Minutes Leaders of 2024-25: Will the Trend Continue?

By:

Dan Bruno

July 30, 2025

In this article we will take a look back at the top 10 players who led the league in minutes per game for the 2024-25 season and consider whether that trend will continue going into the 2025-26 season.

For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire's NBA News or follow @RotoWireNBA on X.

Top Minutes Per Game Leaders in the 2024-25 NBA Season

Tyrese Maxey: 37.7 minutes per game

Maxey played a total of 52 games while doing his best to hold strong as his squad dealt with continuous injury trouble through the 2024-25 season. He was dominant during his league-high 37.7 minutes per game, averaging 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.8 steals, proving that he could take charge when called upon. It was also his second consecutive season averaging over 37 minutes per game, and at 24 years old, entering his sixth NBA season, he has everything lined up to continue to shine as one of the league's most prolific young players.

Kevin Durant: 36.5 minutes per game

For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire's NBA News or follow @RotoWireNBA on X.

Top Minutes Per Game Leaders in the 2024-25 NBA Season

Tyrese Maxey: 37.7 minutes per game

Kevin Durant: 36.5 minutes per game

At 36 years old, Durant not only averaged the league's second most minutes per game through his 65 games played, he also ranked sixth in the league in scoring, with 26.6 points per game on a blistering 52.7 percent shooting from the field. Durant has averaged over 25 points per game for 16 consecutive seasons, and over 35 minutes per game for the last four seasons. He enters a new situation with a deep squad around him that should ideally allow for less of a nightly commitment from the veteran. Nonetheless, he is likely to keep up with his production thanks to his efficiency and the fact that he will continue to command the role of first-option scorer.

De'Aaron Fox: 36.1 minutes per game

Fox was traded to the Spurs in early-February 2025, but prior to that, he averaged 37.0 minutes per game through 45 appearances with the Kings to begin the season. During that period he also averaged 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Moving forward, he only had a short sample size with his new squad, where he averaged 19.7 points in 33.9 minutes per game over 17 appearances, before shutting down for the season to deal with a lingering finger injury. Assuming he is ready to go to kick off the new season, Fox will surely handle a major role for the Spurs, where he is likely to average near 35 minutes per game and continue to stack up big numbers as a leading offensive threat.

Jamal Murray: 36.1 minutes per game

Murray logged a career-high 36.1 minutes per game through 67 games played in 2024-25, which was a massive jump from his 31.5 minutes over 59 games in the previous season. He also averaged a career-high 21.4 points per game and shot over 47 percent from the field for the third time in four years. Heading into 2025-26, it may be unlikely that he tops his average playing time from 2024-25, as the Nuggets acquired additional backcourt depth in the offseason. However, Murray undoubtedly remains the leading orchestrator at the point and thus should hover anywhere slightly over 30 minutes per game at the very least.

Damian Lillard: 35.1 minutes per game

Lillard got off to a strong start in 2024-25, averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.2 steals over 58 games, before dealing with a bout of injury trouble toward the end of the season. He was able to return for the playoffs but ultimately suffered a season-ending injury to his Achilles. Looking ahead, it is uncertain if Lillard will be able to suit up for the coming season. However, he is set for a fresh start with his return to the Trail Blazers, and when the time comes, he will likely be back at the reins of the offense. In the meantime, Blazers guards Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe will be the leading backcourt options for the squad.

Kyrie Irving: 36.1 minutes per game

Irving was thriving through the 2024-25 season, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals, including shooting a blistering 40.1 percent from long range. Unfortunately, his season came to an early stop, as he suffered a torn ACL in early-March 2025. On the upside, he could be back in action by January 2026, which would give him plenty of time to get up to speed for a strong finish to the season. Irving will join a deep and balanced lineup when he returns to action, which will be critical in allowing him to ease back into rhythm. The ideal plan will be for him to take full control of the offense and handle at least 30 minutes per game as soon as he is ready.

Jalen Johnson: 35.7 minutes per game

Johnson played just 36 games in 2024-25 before suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder in late-January 2025. However, prior to that, he was on track as one of the most effective frontcourt players in the league, averaging 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He is expected to be ready to gear up for the 2025-26 season. With a few weeks to get back up to speed, he should be able to pick up where he left off. The new campaign will mark his fifth season, and at just 23 years old, he has plenty of time to push for new heights to his game. Despite the Hawks adding Kristaps Porzingis to their frontcourt, Johnson will likely retain control of the leading power forward role.

Jalen Brunson: 35.4 minutes per game

Brunson was incredibly impactful during his time on the floor, averaging 26.0 points on 48.8 percent shooting per game. His imposing offensive presence earned him the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year award, as he was critical in lifting his team to victory on numerous occasions. Brunson is on track to keep up the impressive work as a scoring leader and leader in all-around effort, which will make every minute that he remains on the floor more valuable for his team. He can be expected to stand at the top of the list in playing time among teammates, but he could also see a slight adjustment down in total usage, as the Knicks picked up Jordan Clarkson, who can step in to lead the backcourt when needed.

Luka Doncic: 35.4 minutes per game

Doncic shined to begin the 2024-25 season with 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.5 minutes per game over 22 games with the Mavericks, before his trade to the Lakers in early-February. He went on to play 28 regular-season games with the Lakers, where he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals in 35.1 minutes per game. Doncic is set to begin his first full season with the Lakers and will be tasked with leading the charge alongside LeBron James. Doncic has averaged over 35 minutes per game for four straight seasons and can be expected to continue to push the limits at 26 years of age and heading into his eighth season.

Fred VanVleet: 35.2 minutes per game

Despite shooting just 37.8 percent from the field, which was his lowest mark since his rookie season, VanVleet played a major role in leading an impressive campaign for the Rockets. He represents experience, leadership and poise for a relatively young squad around him, which adds to the importance of having his presence on the court as much as possible. However, the addition of Kevin Durant for the 2025-26 season means that VanVleet will no longer be the most experienced player on the floor in key situations, which should allow him to have more liberty in maintaining his energy throughout the game. This could result in a minor decrease in total playing time but should ultimately help his statistical production.