The 2023-2024 NBA regular season has come to an end, which means the playoffs have begun. The season featured lasting stars such as Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, as well as upcoming stars such as Victor Wembanyama. After the many hard-fought games throughout the playoffs, it has come down between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA championship.
This year, the following teams made it to the playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76’ers and, the favorite team of most NHP students, the New York Knicks.
In the East and starting at the number one seed, the Boston Celtics are back for their 10th year in row to the NBA playoffs. Moreover, they ended up with the best season record of 64 wins and 18 losses. Their well-respected starting five include Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Al Horfard, who is replacing Kristaps Porzingis due to injury. Following them, the New York Knicks placed second, building their way up each season. Last year, they ended up at the 5th seed and the year prior they were near the bottom of the table at 11th place. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, fan favorites and significant players for the Knicks, were able to help push the Knicks to the second round, but lost to the Indiana Pacers facing several crucial injuries of the teams’ strongest players.
“As a coach, I’d highlight a player like Josh Hart on the Knicks. He brings energy every night and plays hard every second of the game. He’s a guard who is a great defender but also a great rebounder,” NHP boys varsity basketball coach Mr. Cobb said. “As far as the elimination, the Knicks faced a ton of injuries that unfortunately made winning harder to accomplish.”
On the other side, the Western conference was led by the Oklahoma City Thunder with young star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. However, they were eliminated by the eventual Western Conference champions, Dallas Mavericks, in a hard fought semifinals series. The Thunder had an impressive season with their young core, and look to improve in years to come.The Dallas Mavericks, led by an offensive duo, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, argued to be one of the best in the league, continue to prove their status as one of the strongest teams in the NBA.
“I like watching the Timberwolves and Mavs play because I can watch Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic go head to head as both of them are great players,” junior Frankie Mangione said. “However, I think the Dallas Mavericks will win it all.”
Throughout the playoffs, there have been many nail-biter games that have come down to game winning shots. Players like Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Jason Tatum and more have hit many clutch shots and sealed victories for their teams. As the playoffs progress, the games get more and more exciting.
“My favorite game in the NBA playoffs so far was game two of the Knicks vs. Sixers. It was my favorite because toward the end it felt like anyone could have won. It was really exciting to see both teams so close and only a little bit of time left. As a Knicks fan, it was cool to see them end up winning the game on a clutch shot by Donte DiVincenzo,” freshman Jacob Varghese said.
The Celtics have made their way into the NBA Finals, beating the Indiana Pacers four wins to none in the eastern conference finals. In the western conference finals, The fifth seeded Mavericks defeated the third seeded Timberwolves in five games, sending them to the finals for the first time since 2011.
Ultimately, the NBA playoffs is a series of electrifying games for both players and fans, and NHP is excited to see how the final series will end.
