This year’s 1st round was arguably the best basketball fans have ever seen. A very competitive round 1 for the NBA Playoffs is wrapping up and it is a must watch. Many career highs, highlights, upsets, clutch moments and many thrilling games all occurred in this year’s playoffs. Here are the most notable highlights:

Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat (Est. Conference) 

Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat took care of business in Milwaukee. An upset happened for Milwaukee as they took on no.8 place seed, Miami Heat. The Bucks have the best record in the NBA this season, 58 wins and 24 losses, making them 1st place in the eastern conference. The Heat did not let their record get to them. The Heat were able to beat them in five games, 4-1. The Miami Heat is now the sixth 8th seed to beat a no.1 seed team. The player that stood out the most for Miami was 6 time all star Jimmy Butler. Butler scored 42 pts, 56 pts, 30 pts, 25 pts, and 35 pts in that series. Miami Heat advances to the semi-finals.  

Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks (Est. Conference) 

2nd place seed Boston Celtics beat the 7th place seed Atlanta Hawks in six games, 4-2. The Celtics took the two first games but the Hawks were able to win the next game making it 2-1. Celtics win game four and are one win away from eliminating the Hawks. The Hawks fought back and tried to avoid being eliminated which had made the series more interesting for the audience. Hawks win game five. The Celtics were able to close the series in six games thanks to the dynamic duo Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Both scored a total of 62 points in game 6 and led Boston to the semi-finals

Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets (Est. Conference) 

The only 1st round sweep happened in this series. The 3rd place seed, Philadelphia 76ers, swept the 6th place seed, Brooklyn Nets, in 4 games. The Nets struggled against the 76ers and had no answer to their offense. The Nets have now been swept twice. The Nets are now 0-10 in the playoffs. They have not won a single game since game five in the Nets vs Bucks series. MVP candidate Joel Embiid, did not play in game four due to a sprained right knee. However the 76ers were able to close the series and eliminate the Nets. Philadelphia is going to the semi-finals. 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks (Est. Conference) 

The 4th place seed, Cleveland Cavaliers, were defeated by 5th place seed, New York Knicks, in five games. The Knicks have been playing very solid basketball since the trade deadline. The Cavaliers have also been playing amazing basketball this regular season and built excitement for the playoffs. Jalen Brunson from the Knicks had other plans and stomped the Cavaliers. He has been playing like an all star and averaged 24 points. Brunson has had some clutch moments and led the Knicks to the semi-finals.  

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves (Western Conference) 

The Denver Nuggets are 1st place in the Western Conference and are matched up with 8th place seed, Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets beat the Timberwolves in five games, 4-1. The Timberwolves weren’t able to catch up to the Nuggets offense. Jamal Murray and MVP Candidate Nikola Jokić had amazing performances in that series. Jamal Murray’s best performance was in game two where he dropped 40 points and led the Nuggets to a 2-0 lead. The best performance from Jokić was the triple double he had in game five. 17 rebounds, 12 assists, and 28 pts from Jokić. The Nuggets advance to the semi-finals. 

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers (Western Conference) 

 The no.2 seed Memphis Grizzlies were defeated by the no.7 seed Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have been playing very good basketball ever since the trade deadline. The Lakers have been on the bottom of the leaderboard but started to find their rhythm and qualified for the playoffs. The Lakers have shown improvement this season and have also shown that they are contenders. The Memphis Grizzlies were confident that they were going to win this series but the Lakers embarrassed them after beating them in six games. The score for game six was 85-125, the Lakers sent Grizzlies home and advanced. 

Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors (Western Conference) 

The No.3 seed Sacramento Kings make their first playoff appearance since 2006. Unfortunately the NBA Reigning Champs, the Golden State Warriors, beat them in a very intense seven game series. Game seven, the Kings hosted the Warriors and Kings fans brought a lot of energy. The Warriors are used to it and have been in a Win or Go Home situation before. The Kings had the chance to eliminate the reigning champs but Golden’s State starting point guard, Stephen Curry, shuts down the beam. Stephen Curry scored his career playoff high, 50 points, and eliminated the Kings. The Dubs Dynasty advance and are looking to repeat as NBA Champions. 

Phoenix Sun vs Los Angeles Clippers (Western Conference) 

The Phoenix Suns took advantage of a team without two of their all-stars. All-star Paul George was injured and couldn’t play for the entire series. Clippers other all-star, Kawhi Leonard, was able to play two games but was injured for the rest of the series. In just those two games, Kawhi Leonard has averaged 34.5 points. Devin Booker from the Suns averaged 37.2 points and led the Suns to victory. The Suns won the series in five games. The Duo of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are looking to take things to the next level and bring Phoenix to the finals. 

The Semi Finals matchups are in and are ready to start. Heat vs Knicks. Dynamic Duo Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and the Celtics vs MVP Candidate Joel Embiid and the 76ers. The Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors. The Rivalry of Lebron James and Stephen Curry will meet again. Only two teams will advance in their conference. We are slowly getting closer to the 2023 NBA Finals.