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Man, the NBA Playoffs in 2021 brought some unforgettable moments and intense matchups that had everyone on the edge of their seats, right from the start. I'll always remember how the Phoenix Suns, led by the veteran Chris Paul and young star Devin Booker, went on an incredible run. The Suns hadn't been to the playoffs in over a decade – 11 years to be exact – so making it to the Finals was monumental. They finished the regular season with a record of 51-21, which put them at the second seed in the Western Conference. Watching them dismantle the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round was a massive indicator of how strong they were. Injuries plagued the Lakers, true, but the tenacity of the Suns was undeniable.
Another standout was the emergence of the Atlanta Hawks. To think that they fired their head coach Lloyd Pierce during the season and then Nate McMillan took over, guiding them to the fifth seed in the East with a 41-31 record, was almost fairytale-like. Trae Young became a household name as he led his team past the New York Knicks and then improbably stunned the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, a team that boasted Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. That Game 7 performance in Philadelphia, where they clinched the series 4-3, showcased Young’s prowess with 21 points and 10 assists. The 76ers had the best regular season record in the East at 49-23, so this upset was historic.
Then you have the Milwaukee Bucks who clinched their first title in 50 years. Giannis Antetokounmpo was nothing short of legendary. His Finals performance was insane, especially that iconic 50-point game in Game 6 against the Suns which sealed the championship. The Bucks had finished the regular season with a 46-26 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference, but their grit and determination saw them through. They trailed 0-2 in the Finals before winning four straight games, showing immense character and tenacity. The buzz around Giannis winning the Finals MVP was well-deserved, especially considering his knee injury earlier in the playoffs that had many doubting his return.
Let’s not forget the showdown between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, which was arguably one of the best series we've seen in recent years. The Nets had assembled a super team with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving; they were expected to cruise to the Finals. Despite injuries to both Harden and Irving, Durant nearly carried them through, with an unforgettable performance in Game 7 where he scored 48 points. The critical play where Durant’s toe was on the three-point line, turning a potential series-clinching three-pointer into a two-pointer, is etched in everyone's memory. That moment could have altered the entire playoffs landscape.
Another notable moment was Kawhi Leonard's injury. The Clippers were making their deepest playoff run in franchise history, thanks to Leonard and Paul George. With Leonard out with a knee injury after Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, many thought the Utah Jazz, who had the best regular season record in the league at 52-20, would advance. However, George stepped up remarkably, leading the Clippers to their first Conference Finals. Even though they eventually lost to the Suns, beating the Jazz in six games was no small feat considering they were without their top star.
As a basketball fan, seeing young players like Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum continue their ascent into superstardom was thrilling. Dončić put up incredible numbers against the Clippers, averaging 35.7 points per game in their seven-game series. He’s only 22 but plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran. On the other hand, Tatum’s 50-point game against the Nets in the first round was a spectacle, though it wasn’t enough to get the Boston Celtics past the powerhouse Nets. These performances promise a bright future for the league.
The unpredictability and the drama were what made the 2021 playoffs so fantastic. Whether it was the unexpected runs, the star performances, or the heartbreaking injuries, every game felt crucial. And for fans like me, these are moments we replay in our heads long after the final buzzer. Want to check out how it unfolded this year? Here’s a playoff bracket nba 2023 for you to compare.
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