Running Point - Season 1: A Slam Dunk of Comedy and Chaos

Picture this: Kate Hudson, the rom-com darling, stepping onto the hardwood as the unlikely president of a fictional basketball dynasty, the Los Angeles Waves. That’s Running Point, a 2025 Netflix sports comedy series that dropped all 10 episodes on February 27, 2025, and quickly shot to the top of the streaming charts. Co-created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, Elaine Ko, and David Stassen, this half-hour romp blends workplace hijinks with family dysfunction, all wrapped in a basketball bow. It’s got Ted Lasso’s heart, Succession’s sibling squabbles, and a distinctly female-led twist. As of March 4, 2025—less than a week after its debut—it’s the No. 1 show on Netflix in the U.S., sparking laughs, debates, and a whole lot of buzz. Let’s break down what makes Running Point a contender, from its court-side chaos to its off-screen drama.

The Premise: A Party Girl Turned Playmaker

At its core, Running Point is about Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a 30-something reformed socialite who’s spent her life on the sidelines of her family’s basketball empire. The Los Angeles Waves—a nod to the Lakers but not quite—are a storied franchise owned by the dysfunctional Gordon clan. When eldest brother Cam (Justin Theroux) flames out in a drug scandal and heads to rehab, Isla’s thrust into the president’s chair, despite her brothers’ sneers and the board’s skepticism. She’s a fish out of water in the male-dominated sports world, armed with charm, grit, and a shaky grasp of basketball basics.

Season 1’s 10 episodes chart Isla’s wild ride. Episode 1, “Technical Foul,” sees her trading a trash-talking player on day one, setting the tone: she’s in over her head but swinging. From there, it’s a whirlwind—dealing with a team captain Marcus (Toby Sandeman) hiding an injury, her CFO half-brother Sandy (Drew Tarver) plotting a coup, and GM brother Ness (Scott MacArthur) flexing his jock cred. Her bestie and chief of staff Ali (Brenda Song) keeps her sane, while Coach Jay (Jay Ellis) offers zen wisdom and a slow-burn flirtation. Oh, and there’s Lev (Max Greenfield), her fiancé who’s fed up with playing second fiddle to the Waves.

The finale, “Game Seven,” is a nail-biter. The Waves hit the playoffs—a Cinderella run—only to lose on a last-second Portland half-court shot. Isla’s personal life craters too: Lev dumps her and bolts to Minnesota. But she’s not down—consoling Coach Jay, who’s off to Boston, she proves she’s tougher than her party-girl past. It’s a cliffhanger tease: will she win Lev back? Can the Waves rebound? And what’s Sandy scheming? It’s a layup of comedy with a three-pointer of heart.

The Making: A Dream Team Off the Court

Running Point is a Netflix flex, born from a powerhouse creative squad. Mindy Kaling—queen of The Office and Never Have I Ever—teamed with Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Elaine Ko (Modern Family), and showrunner David Stassen (The Grinder) to craft this gem. Announced in 2023, it filmed in spring 2024 across Los Angeles, hitting screens less than a year later—a fast break of production. Kaling’s vision? A workplace comedy with sports flair, inspired by Lakers prez Jeanie Buss, who’s an exec producer alongside Linda Rambis. “Jeanie’s journey as a woman in sports was our spark,” Kaling told Netflix, and Buss shaped it, ensuring the league’s quirks rang true.

Shot in L.A., the show’s vibe is bright—Salvador Pérez Jr.’s costumes pop (Isla’s power suits!), and the half-hour format keeps it zippy. The Waves’ orange-and-blue palette nods to Pepperdine University, sparking a lawsuit (more on that later). Nathan Barr’s score—think bouncy beats—pairs with slick editing to mimic a game’s pace. Casting’s a slam dunk: Hudson’s charisma carries it, Tarver and MacArthur nail sibling snark, Song’s Ali is a dry-wit anchor, and Ellis’ Coach Jay oozes cool. Theroux’s Cam, Chet Hanks’ player Badrag, and a roster of hoops stars (Uche Agada, Dane DiLiegro) round out a stacked lineup.

Reception: A Full-Court Press of Opinions

Running Point debuted February 27, 2025, and by March 4, it’s Netflix’s U.S. champ—24 hours to No. 1, per Forbes. Fans binged it, with X posts like, “Kate Hudson kills it—need Season 2!” and “Ted Lasso vibes but funnier.” Rotten Tomatoes clocks in at 77% critics, 92% audience—39 reviews laud Hudson’s “dynamite charisma,” though some call the tone uneven. Metacritic’s 64/100 reflects a “generally favorable” split: Variety cheers its “bingeable pace,” The Guardian snarks it’s “leaden” on sexism, and Times of India trashes it as “uninspired.”

Critics love Hudson—she’s “heartwarming” (Sarah’s Backstage Pass), “an easy layup” (Variety)—but split on depth. Hollywood Reporter says it coasts on star power, needing sharper plots; Collider calls it “amusing” but light. Fans on X adore the family chaos—“The Gordons are Succession lite!”—though some dunk on clichés: “Another Lakers rip-off?” A Pepperdine lawsuit filed February 2025, claiming logo and color theft, adds off-screen drama—ironic for a show about sports politics.

Themes: More Than a Game

Running Point isn’t just hoops—it’s a playbook on gender, family, and ambition. Isla’s fight against misogyny—snide boardroom jabs, podcaster trolls—mirrors real-world sports barriers. Jeanie Buss’s shadow looms; her 2017 Lakers takeover inspired Isla’s arc. “Gordons don’t lose” is the motto, but they bicker like champs—Sandy’s coup, Ness’s machismo, Cam’s spiral. It’s Succession with jump shots, minus the venom. Isla’s growth—from klutzy ex-Playboy model to matriarchal prez—flips the “dumb blonde” trope, though her daddy issues and 12-day marriage nod to old-school rebellion.

The Waves’ playoff run—almost a win—mirrors Isla’s near-miss life: Lev’s exit, Jay’s departure. It’s not preachy, but it’s real—sports sexism stats (only 4% of NBA execs are women, per 2023 data) ground it. The love triangle (Lev-Isla-Jay) adds rom-com spice, while Marcus’s secret injury and Badrag’s antics keep the team messy. It’s light, not deep, but it scores on relatability.

Legacy: A Rookie with Legs?

Five days in, Running Point’s a breakout. Netflix hasn’t greenlit Season 2—too early, per Marie Claire—but the finale’s cliffhangers (Lev’s job, Sandy’s moves) and fan clamor suggest it’s likely. Filmed in 2024, a 2026 return’s feasible if renewed soon. It’s not Ted Lasso’s soul or Winning Time’s flash, but it’s a niche win: a female-led sports sitcom with binge appeal. Pepperdine’s suit—claiming “trademark infringement”—could snag it, though; the Waves’ logo and No. 37 jersey hit too close to home.

It’s part of 2025’s comedy wave—think On Call’s grit, Molly-Mae’s gloss—but stands out for its hoops hook. Hudson’s star turn, Kaling’s wit, and Buss’s cred give it juice. If Season 2 sharpens the jokes and stakes, it could be a franchise player. For now, it’s a solid rookie season, teeing up more.

Why It Hooks

Running Point isn’t flawless. The pilot’s voice-over drags, some gags (Badrag’s momager) fizzle, and the sexism critique feels surface-level. But it’s a blast—Hudson’s Isla is a chaotic delight, the Gordons’ sniping is gold, and the 30-minute pace keeps you locked in. It’s not Ballers dark or Sweet Magnolias sappy—it’s a sweet spot of silly and sharp. You’ll laugh at Ness’s jock bravado, root for Isla’s wins, and groan at Lev’s exit.

As of March 4, 2025, it’s a fresh face in Netflix’s lineup—sports comedy with a feminist twist, delivered fast. Love the underdog tale or eye-roll at the clichés, it’s a binge worth your half-hour. Season 2’s TBD, but this rookie’s got game—grab the popcorn and see if Isla sinks the next shot.

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1. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/running-point-season-1-ending-explained