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All matchups for the 2021 NBA playoffs have been confirmed. Even as the competition will host some of the best players in the league, there are a few standout performers worth keeping an eye on.
While several players like LeBron James, James Harden and Kevin Durant are veterans when it comes to the NBA playoffs, the pressure to perform is still nerve-racking.
Ten players worth keeping an eye on going into the 2021 NBA playoffs
Making it to the NBA playoffs is an achievement on its own. However, some players are not content with just that, with the championship and the NBA Finals MVP award up for grabs.
Here are the top ten players who are expected to put on a show as the 2021 NBA playoffs commence.
#10 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has made the NBA playoffs in eleven of his thirteen seasons in the NBA. Russ overcame the Pacers in the Wizards' second play-in game, making it his fourth playoff appearance in the last five seasons.
Although Russell is familiar with postseason action, he has made it to the NBA Finals just once with the OKC Thunder. But the Miami Heat super team comprised of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade sent him and the Thunder home in five games.
#9 Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is a proud owner of two NBA Finals rings and was also the finals MVP on both occasions. His first run in the NBA playoffs came in 2012 with the San Antonio Spurs. However, they got knocked out by the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Kawhi won his first championship in his third year in what was a revenge win for the Spurs. His second championship came in the 2018-19 season with the Toronto Raptors.
The forward has not seen much success in the NBA playoffs since joining the LA Clippers ahead of the 2019-20 season. Leonard is regarded as one of the best two-way players in the game, but has yet to find his feet in the playoffs with the Clippers. Regardless, he is a top contender and could lead his team to success this year.
#8 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic is a sensational talent and has shown it since his introduction to the league. The youngster missed the NBA playoffs in his rookie season in 2018-19, but has secured back-to-back qualification for the Dallas Mavericks in the two subsequent seasons.
Luka has single-handedly kept the Mavericks afloat this season as Kristaps Porzingis had a hard time staying healthy. A similar top-tier performance is expected from the 21-year-old ahead of the 2021 NBA playoffs.
The Mavericks will have a chance to enact revenge on the LA Clippers, who sent them home in the first round of the 2020 NBA playoffs in the Orlando bubble.
#7 Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has helped the Portland Trail Blazers reach the NBA playoffs for eight consecutive seasons but has not gone past the Western Conference Finals. His partnership with CJ McCollum on the backcourt has been inspiring, making the Blazers a backcourt-based team.
Dame is one of the best clutch shooters in the league and will face off against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the 2021 NBA playoffs first-round. He finished the regular season with 28.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, and is expected to carry his hot streak into the playoffs.
#6 James Harden
The Houston Rockets owe their success in the NBA playoffs for the past six years to James Harden. The guard had led the team to consecutive playoff appearances but never gone past the Conference Finals.
Although James has not been impressive in the playoffs in the past, he is still a top player that can positively affect the game. 'The Beard' secured a trade to the Brooklyn Nets this year, a move that sent shockwaves through the league. His partnership with Kyrie Irving and Durant might be the catalyst for changing his NBA playoffs record.
The guard averaged 24.6 points per game and 10.9 assists in 36 games in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets.
Top 5 players going into the 2021 NBA playoffs
#5 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA playoffs. A slew of injuries have hampered the forward's season, but he remains one of the most lethal scorers in the league.
Expectations are high for Durant in the 2021 NBA playoffs as his partnership with Harden and Irving could take them all the way to Championship glory. The power trio might not have built the necessary chemistry to compete at the highest level yet, as they have played only eight games together.
Regardless, Kevin Durant will be gunning for his third ring as they feature in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
#4 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the regular season MVP for back-to-back years in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. However, the Milwaukee Bucks have not been successful in the NBA playoffs as they were knocked out in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Miami Heat in 2020.
Both teams meet in the 2021 NBA playoffs in the first round, and Giannis has an opportunity to enact revenge. He finished the regular season with an average of 28.1 points, 5.9 assists and eleven rebounds. There is a lot riding on the shoulders of the 'Greek Freak', and the Bucks faithful hope he brings the team glory.
#3 Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid has qualified for the NBA playoffs in four of his five active seasons in the NBA. Despite being the victim of an upset in the 2020 NBA playoffs first round against the Boston Celtics, he averaged 30 points per game with 45.9 percent shooting from the field.
The Philadelphia 76ers finished the regular season as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference with a 49-23 record. He heads into the NBA playoffs with 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in the regular season. Having been an early contender for MVP, Embiid has a great opportunity to earn his stripes in this year's playoffs.
#2 Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic has had a spectacular regular season, which is why he is favored to win the 2021 MVP award. Jokic played all 72 games in the regular season and averaged 26.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 10.8 rebounds ahead of the NBA playoffs.
With Jamal Murray injured, the Joker is tasked with leading the Denver Nuggets to a deep playoff run this year.
#1 LeBron James
LeBron James is the number one player to watch going into the 2021 NBA playoffs. The veteran holds the title for playoffs MVP as he led the LA Lakers to the trophy in the 2020 NBA playoffs bubble.
King James has won four championships with three different teams and will be looking for the second back-to-back Finals of his career.
The forward is still regaining full fitness following an injury lay-off that ruled him out for a major portion of the season. He showed no signs of letting up as he hit the game winner over Stephen Curry in the Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers will square up against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
