3 NBA teams who disappointed the most in the 2021 NBA Playoffs

#2 LA Lakers

<a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/anthony-davis' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>Anthony Davis</a> #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the game — Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the game

The LA Lakers are the defending champions but failed to show the same intensity in the 2021 NBA playoffs. They were pegged as finalists at the very least because they were led by LeBron James and had most of the players that were instrumental in the 2020 victory.

Although two of their key players were struggling with injuries, the supporting cast looked lost without them. Anthony Davis returned from an Achilles injury towards the end of the season and had a few games to get his groove back. It was the same for LeBron as he was not 100% fit before getting back on the court to help his team in the NBA playoffs.

The Lakers had to go through Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament to reach the 2021 NBA playoffs. They secured the seventh seed with a narrow 103-100 victory over the Warriors.

The young Phoenix Suns teams showed respect to the defending champions but were intentional with their actions on the court. The Suns found a way to break down the number one team in defensive rating, and did so comfortably.

Although the #Suns been playing good, they also caught some BIG breaks during this #NBA postseason run. - Played the #Lakers without Anthony Davis (Lakers up 2-1 before his injury)- Played the #Nuggets without Jamal Murray- Played the #Clippers without Kawhi Leonard
— Cam Davis (@CamronDDavis) July 1, 2021

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A Game 3 victory for the Lakers resulted in a 2-1 series lead. But the Suns turned things around to win Games 4, 5, and 6 to eliminate the champions from the playoffs. James exited the NBA playoffs in the first round for the first time in his 15-year postseason run.

#1 Miami Heat

Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Dewayne Dedmon #21 and <a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/jimmy-butler/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>Jimmy Butler</a> #22 of the Miami Heat — Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Dewayne Dedmon #21 and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat

The NBA community was stunned by the Miami Heat's early exit in the 2021 NBA playoffs. It is safe to say it was the manner with which they exited that was surprising.

The Miami Heat squared up against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and were blown away. It was the most disappointing performance of the 2021 NBA playoffs, more so because many expected it to be one of the fiercest battles of the first round.

In the Orlando Bubble, the Heat sent home the Bucks in the semi-finals, and a revenge outing was expected. But it was surprising that the Jimmy Butler-led Heat could not manage one win in the series.

The Milwaukee Bucks progressed to next round of the play-offs after beating the Miami Heat 120-103 to complete a 4-game 1st-round sweep #NBAPlayoffs #SSBasketball
— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) May 29, 2021

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks swept the Heat in the first round, which counts as the only sweep so far in the 2021 NBA playoffs. For a team that held the Lakers to a Game 6 in the 2020 NBA Finals, it was a humiliating way to bow out of the 2021 NBA playoffs.