Running Point (Netflix) Review: A Slam Dunk 

Running Point is a comedic gem exploring ambitious women in the workplace, dysfunctional family and power dynamics, and a bold new twist on the underdog story.

When a drug-induced scandal forces her brother to resign as president, he appoints Isla, known for thinking outside the patriarchal box, in his place to run one of the most storied professional basketball franchises in sports history, which also happens to be the family business: the Los Angeles Waves. He also (secretly) hopes she fails. Ambitious, underestimated, and often overlooked, Isla will have to work overtime to prove her worth not just to her childish, skeptical brothers but also to the board and the sports community at large. 

If the premise sounds a little familiar, it’s because it’s loosely based on the experiences of Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner and president Jeannie Buss, who also serves as executive producer on the show, along with Hudson.

Narrated in humorous, candid voiceover by Isla, Running Point is, in her own words, “the story of the f*cked-up family” running this penultimate franchise. Isla is beautiful and funny, and she knows the game of pro basketball better than any man on the planet. She spent her childhood around her father, always telling him how to trade to build teams and create success; in fact, she had quite the knack for it. She understood the game like no one else, but she was always ignored for being … wait for it … a girl.

Now that the script is flipped and a chick is in charge, the basketball culture sits in shock and refuses to take Isla seriously, even throwing up major shot blocks to test her. She is, in essence, flanked by men—the most important of which are her handful of brothers.

Cam (Justin Theroux, of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) is the oldest. He is Waves president and the “I got this” guy. He knows everything about the organization, and everyone loves him … although, despite his handsomeness, he is a bit of a d-bag with a slight crack problem. Ness (Scott MacArthur, of Killing It) is the second oldest and the Waves general manager. He’s not as polished as Cam, but he’s the only Gordon who could actually play basketball. So, he was drafted by the team but only lasted half a season before moving to the Philippines to play professionally … until he was arrested in Manila for trying to bribe a club bouncer with Ecstasy. Everyone adores him, especially the players. Then there’s Sandy (Drew Tarver, of The Other Two), Isla’s younger half-brother and Waves CFO. He’s the antithesis of athletic but is smart, driven, a little catty, and cheap. In other words, he’s the big nerd, and Tarver plays him well.

And that’s the fam, mostly … until it’s discovered there’s another Gordon out there, but I won’t ruin that plotline for you. I will tell you, though, that he is the sweetest, kindest, most loving, thoughtful, and gentle Gordon on the planet. And he will make your heart melt all over the place while likely bringing a sweet, little tear to your eye as he smacks you in the face with reality.

Isla couldn’t have inherited the team at a worse time. The Waves are currently in second-to-last place in the west and are off to their worst start in a decade. She has her work cut out for her, but that doesn’t scare her. It fuels her right into every effort to achieve success despite the stumbles and roadblocks along the way, which she navigates with grace, ferocity, confidence, and compassion … and quite a bit of humor.

And that’s what Kaling does so well: writes these extremely ambitious, down-to-earth women who slay in the workforce by being themselves and by not conforming to the patriarchy. But she doesn’t just write women well, as is evidenced by the Gordon brothers and by team players Marcus Winfield (Toby Sandeman, of The Game), Dyson Gibbs (Uche Agada, of Rise), and Travis Bugg (Chet Hanks, of Your Honor), who plays an unforgettably cocky, slightly drug-addicted Waves point guard who moonlights as a wannabe rapper. I seriously don’t think anyone else could have brought life to this role like Hanks does. Much like his dad and brother, this kid is a star.

The verdict? Slam dunk. Grab your snacks and binge this comedic gem as soon as it lands on Netflix. It proves that Kaling and Barinholtz are ascending creative geniuses who should never stop writing television series and characters, or portraying them. You’ll love all the pop culture references, and you won’t stop giggling at the sibling banter or the show’s ability to poke fun at nepo babies in the workplace. My only complaint is that neither Kaling nor Barinholtz make an appearance, but Barinholtz’s dad does, and there’s even a surprise cameo tucked in there that’ll have you wide-eyed and open-mouthed, grasping the sides of your face. 

Overall, Running Point is an endearingly funny hit right out the gate. It’s extremely well written, shining in its character portrayals and its exploration of dysfunctional family and power dynamics in and out of the workplace, as well as gender norms. Where it stands out, though, is in its representation of ambitious women in the workplace and in Hudson’s performance. She’s a total rockstar, a complete force of nature, just like Andi Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and her role as Isla Gordon proves she still has those comedic chops that made us fall in love with her in the first place. 

Also starring in Running Point are Brenda Song (The Last Showgirl), Fabrizio Guido (Perry Mason), Jay Ellis (Insecure), and Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood). The series is written and executive produced by Kaling, Barinholtz, and showrunner David Stassen, who also worked with Kaling on The Mindy Project and Barinholtz on Blockers and The Oath.

Running Point is now available to watch globally on Netflix.