Back in 2021, the NBA Playoff schedule provided some exhilarating moments and nail-biting finishes. Trust me, if you followed the 2021 NBA Playoffs, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Starting on May 22, 2021, the playoffs promised nearly two months of elite basketball action, eventually culminating with the NBA Finals in July. The league's decision to start the playoffs at this time followed a compressed 72-game regular-season schedule, which was 10 games fewer than usual due to the pandemic.
Of course, the 2021 NBA Playoffs stood out for various reasons. First off, the Play-In Tournament format caused quite the buzz. While some fans and players had mixed feelings about it, there’s no denying it added an extra layer of excitement. Seven teams from each conference qualified directly based on their regular-season records, while teams ranked 8th to 10th went through this Play-In gauntlet to vie for those last two spots. That meant a total of four Play-In games per conference. Kudos to the NBA for mixing things up a bit!
I mean, can you imagine Stephen Curry and LeBron James going head-to-head in a Play-In game? It happened! That matchup drew massive viewership numbers. Over 5.6 million people tuned in, making it one of the most-watched games of the regular season and Play-Ins combined. This kind of turnout really goes to show how star power and fresh formats can keep fans hooked.
When it came to the first round, it kicked off with a bang. Imagine eight thrilling matchups all happening at the same time, each in a best-of-seven series. It took around two weeks to get through, with games happening almost nightly. Think of it as a sheer overload of basketball awesomeness. For Eastern Conference teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, every single game had huge stakes, given the high expectations riding on their superstar lineups.
If stats are your thing, you would’ve loved Giannis Antetokounmpo's performance that season. The "Greek Freak" was averaging nearly 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists per game in the playoffs. Those are insane numbers, even by his standards. And don't get me started on the Nets' "Big Three" of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Injuries played a part, but when healthy, they were nearly unstoppable on the court.
Let’s talk about the Western Conference. The Utah Jazz, with the best regular-season record at 52-20, faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies. Donovan Mitchell's return from injury was a huge deal. The dude averaged 32.3 points per game in the first round, showcasing his killer instinct. It was mind-blowing to see young teams like the Phoenix Suns, led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker, go head-to-head with the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. That series alone was worth the price of admission. Booker broke records, becoming one of only six players in NBA history to score 45 points in an elimination game before turning 25.
And then there are the Conference Semifinals, which took place in June. They were nothing short of spectacular. Imagine the Nets vs. Bucks series going to a Game 7—pure nail-biting drama. The Bucks' victory, where they defeated the Nets 115-111 in overtime, marked one of the season's historic moments. I'll never forget the hype surrounding Kevin Durant's incredible 49-point Game 5 performance. It just shows how one player can totally take over a game.
Speaking of unforgettable, what about Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks? They were the underdog story of the playoffs. Defeating the New York Knicks and then the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers was nothing short of a Cinderella run. Young averaged around 29 points and 10 assists per game in the playoffs, cementing himself as a young star to watch out for.
Fast forward to the Conference Finals, which started in late June. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a memorable series, finishing in six games. That alley-oop game-winner by Deandre Ayton in Game 2? Unreal. The Bucks faced the Hawks in the Eastern Conference, with Giannis having to battle through injuries. The Bucks eventually took the series in six games, securing their spot in the Finals.
Then came the NBA Finals starting on July 6th. The Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks: a showdown between two hungry teams. The series got off to a competitive start, with the Suns taking a 2-0 lead. But the Bucks rallied back, winning four straight games to clinch the championship in six games. With a 105-98 victory in Game 6, the Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50-point performance in the final game was legendary. He earned the Finals MVP, solidifying his place among the greats.
You can replay all these incredible moments by checking the nba schedule playoffs 2021. From the initial tip-off to the final whistle, the 2021 NBA Playoffs were a rollercoaster of emotions, historical performances, and pure basketball excellence. Trust me, if you missed it, you missed out on one of the greatest NBA seasons ever.