Masuk Free Press

On May 19, 2024, the last of the NBA conference semifinals matches were played. So far this year, these playoffs have been some of the most exciting in recent history. With stacked teams and competitive series throughout, it has been nothing short of electric.

At the start of the playoffs, many believed that the western conference would be much more competitive than the eastern conference. In the west there were many teams vying for the one seed in the final games of the regular season, however, in the east the Celtics had taken control of the conference leading the next best team, the Knicks, by 14 wins on the season. 

Heading into the playoffs, the Celtics were high and above the clear favorites for the championship title. However, many believed that the Knicks were a dark horse in the eastern conference bracket. 

“The Knicks are a really strong team and have only gotten better near the end of the season, they have the Villanova trio in Josh Hart, Daunte Divincenzo and Jalen Brunson,” said senior Luke Carroll. “I know he didn’t win but Brunson has been putting up MVP stats all season and it has carried into the postseason as well.”

In the west, after the conclusion of the regular season, the young OKC Thunder were able to snag the one seed, led by a young core in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey. Other notable contenders in the west were the 2023 defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves with the young superstar Anthony Edwards.

In the first round, most went as planned and a majority of the favored teams were able to take their respective series in quick fashion, with only the Cavaliers and the Magic taking their series to a game seven. Notably, the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers were the only teams to beat a higher seeded team by beating the Clippers and the Bucks.

The Thunder and Timberwolves were able to assert their dominance, sweeping the Pelicans and the Suns in four.

After this first round, eight teams were able to advance into the semifinals of their conference: the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks and Thunder in the west. In the east, the Celtics, Cavaliers, Pacers and Knicks were still afloat.

The Mavericks were seemingly cold to start the series but were able to bring it back and get hot later on to send the one seed OKC packing. Helmed by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, they made a statement and will be playing in the western conference finals. In the east, the other one seed Celtics played the Cavaliers. Although they gave up a game early, the Celtics were able to shake it off and win in dominant fashion, beating them 4-1 in the series. 

Two of the four series went to a game seven played on Sunday, May 19. The Pacers were looking to send the two seed Knicks home after picking up a third win and tying the series on the previous Friday. Due to injuries to their starters and an uneasy bench, the Pacers were able to rout the Knicks in back to back games, winning the series. 

“The Pacers have played two hospital teams, everyone was injured, they are going to get killed by the Celtics,” said junior Riyaan Kothari.

In the west, the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves played an electric series for seven games. Ending in heartbreaking fashion for the reigning champions, after losing the first two games by double digits, the Denver Nuggets won three straight and had two chances to send the Wolves home but could not manage it. They lost both games in a 45 point blowout and a 20 point comeback win by Minnesota.

“The defense from the Wolves is what got them in the end, and the role players on the Nuggets didn’t do anything,” said senior Manav Sannappanavar.

After the dust settled, only four teams remained. In the east, the heavy favorite Celtics will play a six seed Pacers team led by Tyrese Haliburton. In the west, the red hot Mavericks will play the Timberwolves. With three more series to be played in the NBA Finals, many are anticipating even more exciting and jaw dropping playoff basketball.