As the NBA prepares to make what will undoubtedly be a dramatic return, several key players who flashed their savvy will prove integral to the success of their respective teams’ playoff runs. Here are five players who have the potential to bring their squads that much closer to a championship ring.

Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz

Jordan Clarkson has been a microwave scorer as well as a solid scoring guard throughout his career, averaging about 15 points per game this season. He also had one of the best fourth-quarter performances of the year, putting up 24 of his 37 total points in the last stretch of a matchup against a tough Denver Nuggets defense. After being traded midseason to the Utah Jazz, Clarkson proved that such uncanny scoring performances are not mere flukes — he has put up 15.6 points per game in his 34 appearances with Utah and shot a solid 48.2% from the field while averaging just more than 25 minutes each game. Clarkson will have to step up his game and jazz up opposing defenses even more now, considering the Jazz’s loss of Bojan Bogdanović, the second-leading scorer on the team, to a season-ending wrist injury.

Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat 

Duncan Robinson is another hot prospect in the NBA this year. At one point in his career, Robinson was playing Division III basketball, but he is now a key cog of a championship-contending Miami Heat. The 6’7” forward has averaged a respectable 13.3 points per game this year on a borderline ridiculous 3-point percentage of 44.8, firing up about seven threes a game. After a leaguewide hiatus of more than four months, Robinson may have an edge over players whose games are more dependent on athleticism. Although Robinson will also face some physical adjustments to playing again, his game, consisting mostly of spot-up threes, will not require as much conditioning. The 26-year-old will be a huge X-factor to watch out for, especially considering that opponents will mainly focus on the three-headed offensive dragon of Kendrick Nunn, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. All three of these players like to attack the paint, and given that Robinson is likely to space the floor, he could wreak havoc if he keeps his mind-numbing shooting numbers up.

Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers

Another NBA X-factor is 2017 Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, who is quietly having his best pro season yet. Averaging 16.3 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists, he was a critical factor to the Pacers’ ability to stay afloat in an injury-riddled season, proving that he is more of a playmaker than a mere system player. Brogdon is also a tremendous defender — he has great size for a point guard, and standing at 6’5” and 229 pounds, he can bully opposing guards on both sides of the ball. He has also assumed ball-handling responsibilities this year, nearly doubling his assists since his time with the Milwaukee Bucks. Former All-Stars Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis will attract a lot of attention from the defense, so it is up to Brogdon to exploit his matchups. He could be a crucial factor to the Pacers’ hope of making a significant run this year.

Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers

Although Matisse Thybulle, nicknamed “The Disruptor,” is only a rookie without a consistent offensive game, he is an elite defender for the 76ers, making him a fourth potential X-factor. Philadelphia already has four ball-dominant players in Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson, so Thybulle does not have to score so much as space the floor. Thybulle’s defensive numbers are noteworthy, including an impressive average of 1.5 steals in just 20 minutes per game, even more than two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard’s rookie season average of 1.3 steals in 24 minutes per game. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 200 pounds, Thybulle uses his great size and active hands to disrupt opposing wings. He is more than capable of holding his own against elite offensive wings such as Jayson Tatum and Pascal Siakam, and will be crucial to the 76ers’ championship aspirations.

Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers

Montrezl Harrell is a front-runner for the Sixth Man of the Year Award this season, and boy, does he deserve it. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers certainly treats him like a starter and played Harrell over starting center Ivica Zubac in several important game situations this season. Although the Clippers have a deep roster and two superstar players in Leonard and Paul George, Harrell is a steady presence and will be very integral to this team’s success. He is currently averaging almost 19 points and nearly seven rebounds per game, seemingly imposing his will onto opposing benches. Availability is key in the NBA, and Harrell has only missed one game this season. He creates mismatches for many teams, being both too fast for traditional centers and too strong for forwards to guard against. His high-energy play sets the tone for his team and might very well paint the Clippers as major championship contenders this season.