Dads of the NBA Playoffs
The NBA Playoffs kicked off on the 19th, and if you are like us, you may want to tune in but have no idea who to cheer for. If that’s you, or you simply want to learn more about the athletes as people, this article is for you! To give you an inside look and an idea of who you may want to take home the championship, we’ve made a list of a notable dad for each team in the playoffs. Introducing the newest edition of Kens of the NBA: Their job is dad.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo has three children (with one on the way) and is more than willing to spoil them. After winning the NBA Cup in December, Giannis spoke candidly in a post-game interview, letting us know his prize money was “already gone” due to family. “I have also three kids. I got to go Christmas shopping. And, I have a kid on the way. You know, diapers are expensive. So, the money’s already gone.” He and his wife, Mariah Riddlesprigger, have three children: 5-year-old Liam, 3-year-old Maverick, and 1-year-old Eva.
Orlando Magic: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of our most experienced dads, and he has five kids in his clan. He and his wife McKenzie have been together since 2013 and share four sons and one daughter: Kenzo, Kentavious Jr., Kendrix, Kendall, and baby Knowledge, born at the end of November. With five kids, they already have a full starting lineup! Now the question is, will he and his starting lineup be able to win the NBA championship this year?
The Caldwell-Pope family enjoying a trip to Disney World at the beginning of April (via McKenzie on IG)
Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is a father to 7-year-old Deuce, who some consider to be the unofficial mascot of the Celtics. Even in 2022, Jayson explained, “You know, Deuce is the real superstar in Boston. And it’s crazy to see the reception and the attention that he gets. When I found out I was having a child in my rookie year, never in my wildest dreams did I think that he would be as big as he is. Just his personality, and I think that people recognize the relationship that we have”. Jayson also has another child with his girlfriend, Ella Mai, which was revealed last August when the newborn boy was included in a photo shoot to celebrate Jayson’s Olympic success.
Jayson and Deuce celebrate the Celtics win in the 2024 NBA Finals (Getty)
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokić
It’s a common joke that Nikola Jokić treats playing in the NBA like a regular 9-5 job due to a frequent lack of enthusiasm around celebratory moments and success. While we aren’t certain of his exact perspective on being an NBA superstar, we do know that he greatly enjoys being a dad. When reflecting on fatherhood, Jokić expressed, “I knew that even before that basketball is not (the) main thing in my life and probably (is) never gonna be, and I like it because I have something more at home that is more important than basketball.” He and his wife, Natalija, have two children: a 3-year-old daughter, Ognjena, and a 5-month-old son, Ignjat.
Jokić poses at a photo shoot with his daughter and wife after winning the 2023 NBA Finals (AP)
LA Clippers: Kawhi Leonard
Although he’s particularly private about his personal life, we do know that Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is a loving dad of two. He and his longtime girlfriend Kishele Shipley have a 9-year-old daughter named Kaliyah and a 6-year-old son whose name has not been revealed to the public. It was noted that before Kawhi’s former team, the San Antonio Spurs, threw him and Kishele a baby shower before his daughter was born…big fans of wholesome NBA moments like this!
Kawhi and family smile for the cameras at his jersey retirement at San Diego State in 2020 (Getty)
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James
Arguably, the most iconic dad of the NBA is, of course, the king, LeBron James. LeBron made history with his son Bronny when the two played on the court together in the Lakers’ season opener in October as the first father-son duo in NBA history to play in a game together. LeBron and his wife Savannah also have two other children together - 17-year-old Bryce and 10-year-old Zhuri. Sharing how much fatherhood and playing with his son means to him after a pre-season game in October, LeBron explained, “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence on your son, to be able to have moments with your son and then ultimately, to be able to work with your son, I think that’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for.”
The James family stun on the red carpet at the 2023 ESPYs (Getty)
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson
This will be Jalen Brunson’s first NBA Playoffs as a dad, as his wife Ali gave birth to their first child on July 31st, 2024. Since her arrival, baby girl Jordyn has attended multiple Knicks games, including the NBA All-Star Game, where she and Ali wore matching outfits. With the additional motivation of making his daughter proud, we know Jalen is going to bring his best to the table in the Knicks’ quest to take home the title.
Ali and Jordyn pose for pics with Jalen in their matching outfits before the NBA All-Star Game (NBA)
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham may be best known for being one of the stars of the Detroit Pistons or being the No. 1 draft pick in 2021, but before that, he was a father. Cade found out when he was just 16 years old that he was going to be a dad, and he has kept his now 7-year-old daughter Riley at the center of his life through all the twists and turns. She has been present for both the big and small moments - from sitting with him while his name was called at the 2021 draft to casual pregame handshakes on the court.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro
Miami Heat star Tyler Herro is dad to two children with his girlfriend Katya Henry: a 3-year-old daughter named Zya and a 2-year-old son named Harlem. In February, Tyler won the 3-Point Contest that was part of this year’s NBA All-Star weekend and afterward showed off his beautiful family in a photoshoot with the trophy. With his stylish girlfriend frequently showing her support courtside at Heat games, this family is one to keep your eye on for picture-perfect moments.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Julius Randle
In addition to his fellow Timberwolves, Julius Randle has two sons in his wolfpack, with a daughter on the way. He and his wife Kendra share 8-year-old Kyden and 3-year-old Jaycey and announced in December that a baby girl would soon be joining their family. Despite the considerable demands the NBA can place on athletes, Julius is still an active dad and role model for his kids. Kendra spoke to this on X when she wrote, “Both of us grew up in single-parent homes. We never saw our dads respect our mothers. I’m so grateful my kids get to grow up watching their dad be the best father and husband”.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton
While he may not be the kind of dad you were expecting, Tyrese Haliburton brings all the dad energy as a dog dad to his Goldendoodle, Ames. Tyrese is not afraid to publicly show his affection for his pup - after earning a gold medal with the USA Basketball Men’s National Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he and Ames did a photo shoot with the medal. He also recently debuted a personalized shoe with PUMA inspired by Ames, complete with a fur texture. Tyrese has been a dad to Ames since he started in the NBA in 2020, and he named him after Ames, Iowa, where he played college basketball at Iowa State.
Ames and Tyrese show off his Olympic gold medal on Ames’ IG account (via amesers._)
OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is about to finish his first full year of fatherhood! His wife Hailey gave birth to their son, Ares, on April 25th, 2024. Even though he is playing as well as, if not better than, he did before Ares, he is very dedicated to his son and being there for him and Hailey. When talking about his new routine as a dad last May, SGA commented, “A lot kind of caters to the needs of him and Hailey, my wife. But Hailey does a great job of still making sure I get my work in, making sure I have time to hoop. But outside of hoop, it’s all him”.
SGA and Ares spending time together off the court (via @shai, IG)
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant
Ja Morant may be one of the stars of the Grizzlies, but his daughter Kaari is a star in her own right. The 5-year-old will occasionally join her dad for post-game interviews, and she steals the show when she does. If she doesn’t make an interview appearance, you can still likely spot her courtside cheering on her dad, often in fashionable fits.
Kaari accompanies Morant in his post-game interview in February 2022 (Getty)
Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry
We couldn’t make a list of dads without including a classic: Sir Steph Curry. He and his wife Ayesha have four children together: 12-year-old Riley, 9-year-old Ryan, 6-year-old Cannon, and almost 1-year-old Caius. Last month, he shared his biggest tip for other parents: “They’re all so different, they all respond to different parenting styles, different communication styles. As quickly as you can, learn what they respond to the most. You want to let them know that they each have a superpower and are unique for a reason”. Steph certainly has shown he has superpowers of his own on the court, and we know his family will be cheering him on as he looks to become an NBA champion once again.
The Curry family rock matching PJs on Christmas morning in 2024 (via Ayesha on IG)
Cleveland Cavaliers: De’Andre Hunter
De’Andre Hunter has had a very exciting past few months - on February 6th, he was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Cavaliers right at the trading deadline, began his quest for an NBA championship with the team on April 20th, and became a father. While not much is known publicly about his family situation, it was reported that he and his partner welcomed a baby girl in early November. In addition to “Dad” and “Cavalier,” will he be able to add NBA champion as a new title?
A Facebook post that shared the news of De’Andre Hunter becoming a father
Houston Rockets: Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks is a girl dad all the way. He shares two daughters, Mila and Luna, with his ex-wife Heather Andrews. Although they are no longer together, both parents are devoted to their daughters and always look to put them first. Last year, fans spotted the girls’ names on Dillon’s shoes with a heart, and we know he will be thinking of them as he begins his quest to win an NBA championship with the Rockets.