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#3 Stars fighting back against all odds to win games for their teams
Some of the best moments in NBA playoffs involve a superstar going berserk and single-handedly winning games for his team. We saw several such inspiring performances in the 2021 NBA playoffs as well.
In the first-round series between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum didn't have his second All-Star in Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker wasn't like his usual self.
The oddsmakers gave no chance to the Celtics to win any game in this series, but Jayson Tatum did the unthinkable and stole a game from an entirely healthy Brooklyn Nets superteam. He hit the clutch dagger for his 50th point to put Boston up by 7 with 40 seconds left in the game.
Nobody predicted the Atlanta Hawks to go as far as they did in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Trae Young and Co. fought against all odds and showed incredible resilience and grit.
In game 1 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, Trae Young showed the league he is built for the bright lights as he dropped 48 points and dished out 11 assists to help him team take a 1-0 series lead against the heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks. Young also sunk the game-winner in his first-ever NBA playoff game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden with a crowd that was cursing and booing him.
Moreover, Ja Morant dropped 47 in Game 2 of the first round against the Utah Jazz. Paul George dropped 41 points when his team needed him the most and led the LA Clippers to the victory after losing Kawhi Leonard.
Devin Booker dropped 47 points against the LA Lakers in Game 6 to close out the series. He started the game hot from the get-go and dropped 6 three-pointers in the first quarter.
#4 Ben Simmons underperforming in the 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals
Ben Simmons' performances became a major storyline in the 2021 NBA playoffs. It led to everyone commenting on his future and All-Star status. LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson, arguably the greatest point guard ever, has said that Ben Simmons needs to leave the franchise and play for another team. The Philadelphia fans want him gone, and even his coach and teammates blamed him subtlely for the loss in the second round.
Joel Embiid was asked after the game what he thought was the moment that turned the scales in the Hawks' favor. He replied:
"I'll be honest - I don't know how to say it - but I thought the turning point was we had an open shot, we missed and we made one free throw"
Referring to Ben Simmons and his missed open dunk/layup, Embiid was visibly frustrated with his co-star as he was fighting through an injury and pain trying to get it done. The Hawks deployed the "Hack-a-Simmons" strategy and he was abysmal from the free-throw line. He barely attempted shots in the entire NBA playoff series and was visibly afraid to hold the ball fearing he will be fouled.
Doc Rivers once said that people who criticize Ben Simmons for his free-throw shooting, "don't know basketball" but he quickly changed his tune when he realized that Simmons is a liability on the floor. When asked if Simmons can be a championship-caliber point guard, he answered:
"Yeah...I don't know that question or the answer to that right now"
This sparked trade rumors in the middle of the playoff series and ultimately led to an upset by the Hawks of the 1st-seeded 76ers.
#5 Kevin Durant puts on a show for the ages with a historic NBA playoff performance
Kevin Durant stepped up when his team needed him the most and dropped a 49-point triple-double in Game 5 against the Brooklyn Nets. With Kyrie Irving absent and James Harden practically a no-show, Durant came one point shy of a 50-piece and had one of the best performances in NBA playoff history. He grabbed 17 boards and dished out 10 assists along with 3 steals and 2 blocks.
Kevin Durant silenced all the critics who said he could not carry a team on his back. He shot at a ridiculously efficient clip, making 16-23 (69%) shots including 4 of 9 (44%) from three-point range, and made 13 of his 16 (81%) free throw attempts. He led the Brooklyn Nets to a 17-point comeback and dropped 20 points in the fourth quarter by himself when the Milwaukee Bucks had 21 as a team.
Also Read: Eight active players to score 50 or more points in an NBA Playoff game
