In the third quarter of the first game of the Eastern Conference finals, with the Hawks’ nursing a delicate two-point lead, Trae Young received a pass a few feet above the top of the key from John Collins.
Atlanta’s spontaneity, youth, and inexperience combined with its high level of execution, breathtaking displays of greatness, and overall success are a microcosm of what’s made basketball so entertaining since the play-in tournament began on May 18.
In ’21, Curry went out before the playoffs, LeBron in Round 1, Durant in Round 2 and Leonard is injured with no return in sight.
And in the West finals, down two games to none again, Los Angeles responded with a stirring Game 3 victory, thanks in large part to Reggie Jackson Oh, and people are calling Paul George “Playoff P” without a hint of irony now.
And yet, Atlanta spoiled the Knicks’ storybook season, knocked out the conference’s No.1 seed in the Sixers and sent them into a spiral, and is now only three wins away from the Finals.
The Suns’ reward for their first playoff berth in 11 years was a first-round matchup with the defending champion Lakers, except they took advantage of a hobbled LeBron and Anthony Davis to hand James the first first-round exit of his career, literally mocking him on his way out.
Except after a drubbing of the Heat, Milwaukee only barely survived in the second round, sneaking into the conference finals thanks to the half-size-too-big shoes worn by Durant on what was nearly a series-winning three-pointer in a Game 7.
While injuries to great players have certainly played a factor, it’s been maybe almost 15 years since the title has felt so up for grabs? What this postseason has lacked in internationally recognizable star power, it has made up for tenfold in entertainment.
If the strange nature of this postseason is a reflection of the NBA’s decision to cram in so many games in a short period of time after the conclusion of the bubble.
If there’s something good that can be taken away from what was a trying year for the league, it’s that adding such a profound sense of unknown to any possession, any game or any series creates for a wildly compelling finish.