Four Wild Overreactions From Game 1 of Every Second Round NBA Playoff Series
Sports Illustrated • • general
Key Points:
- The NBA playoffs have narrowed to eight teams after an intense first round featuring one sweep and three Game 7s, with notable performances including the Knicks' dominant 39-point win over the 76ers.
- The Knicks' historic Game 1 victory over Philadelphia may be an overreaction to declare the series over, as the 76ers have key players like Joel Embiid who could rebound despite a tough start.
- The Spurs' lack of playoff experience showed in their close loss to the veteran Timberwolves, highlighting the challenges young teams face against seasoned opponents.
- Donovan Mitchell's inconsistent playoff performance continues to be a concern for the Cavaliers, as he struggled to lead a comeback in their Game 1 loss to the Pistons.
- The Lakers were decisively beaten by the Thunder without Luka Dončić, but his potential return offers hope, although the Thunder's strong depth and performance make the series outlook challenging for Los Angeles.
