Netflix has reportedly cancelled its NBA docuseries 'Starting 5' after just two seasons, according to a report from Sports Business Journal. The series, which debuted in 2024, offered a behind-the-scenes look at the NBA season by following five star players.
The first season featured LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis. The second season, released this year, followed Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Jaylen Brown. The series was co-produced by Higher Ground, the company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama.
Viewership figures for the second season have not been released, but data from What's on Netflix indicates a significant drop in audience. The first season drew 4.6 million views from July to December 2024, while the first half of 2025 saw only 1 million views. By comparison, Netflix's other sports docuseries such as 'Quarterback' (NFL) and 'F1: Drive to Survive' have attracted much higher viewership.
The cancellation comes despite memorable moments in the series, such as a poignant scene where LeBron James thanks the medical team who saved his son Bronny's life after a cardiac arrest in 2023.
