All the first round series in the NBA postseason have kicked off with a bang, plus a few surprises. Here are the details.
Star Injuries
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer expressed cautious optimism regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo's status after the two-time Most Valuable Player left Game 1 of Milwaukee's Eastern Conference playoff series with a lower back contusion.
Injuries in the span of a couple of hours on Sunday also sidelined two-time All-Star Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, preventing them from finishing their first playoff games.
Anthony Davis gave Los Angeles Lakers fans a scare when he grabbed his right shoulder and said he couldn't move his arm. Fortunately for the Lakers, Davis recovered from a hard hit and returned for the start of the third quarter of their 128-112 win over the Grizzlies.
These injuries create an atmosphere of uncertainty, leaving in doubt the continuity of these stars in the playoffs. It is to be expected if they will indeed be able to be back. And if so, it is to be expected whether their performance will be optimal, considering the possible consequences of their injuries.
Lakers and Grizzlies in a Different Dynamic
There have been lingering doubts about the Lakers' effectiveness against the Grizzlies. The Game 1 win has momentarily silenced the naysayers of LeBron James and company. Now with the possible loss of Ja Morant, the Grizzlies find themselves in a complicated situation. Their bench must make up for the loss of Morant if he can't be in the lineup for Game 2.
On the other hand, James' 21 points and 11 rebounds in Game 1 is just what Lakers fans expected from their superstar. Now, Los Angeles must capitalize on the momentum it has gained after its first postseason win. Never forget that James will always be a key factor in any series.
The Other Los Angeles Team Gets Off to a Good Start
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns 115-110 in their first matchup of this postseason. The Suns entered the series with a strong offense led by their most recent acquisition Kevin Durant. But on this occasion, the offense was not enough to defeat a team determined to win.
The key point for the Clippers was the performance of Russell Westbrook. Although Westbrook did not have one of his best offensive games, his defensive performance allowed Durant to be contained. In addition, Paul George's support coming off the bench allowed the Clippers to survive the first meeting. Now it's a matter of seeing if the success is sustainable throughout the series.
On the other hand, Kawhi Leonard seems to be in his usual form. Leonard was the key piece in the Toronto Raptors title in 2010, so he knows what it takes to be a champion. With Westbrook, Leonard and George off the bench, the Clippers have a formula that will give Western Conference teams nightmares.
