NBA Playoffs 2023: Round 1 so far, a new Postseason, Kings make history, and more
One could argue that this year's NBA championships begins a new chapter in basketball history. The season marks a huge shift in NBA playoff regulation, as the COVID game expansion was announced as permanent, officially separating the playoffs from the play-in tournament. Franchises are fighting to make their mark in history, as competitive teams like the Sacramento Kings haven’t won a championship in more than 70 years. Now, nearing the end of round one, fans are riled up and ready to see who will leave June as 2023 NBA Champions.
Only the top six seeds in each conference immediately advanced to the playoffs, leaving the next four seeds from the East and West to compete in the play-in tournament from April 11-14 for the final four spots. The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers came out victorious, earning their spot as seventh and eighth seeds. The Heat beat out popular one-seed Milwaukee 4-1 in an almost perfect sweep, and they will play the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Apart from the Knicks and Heat matchup, we also know Denver will play Phoenix in the Western semifinals. After both winning in the first round 4-1, they’re ready to fight for a spot in the conference finals.
This year, all teams are competitive and entertaining to watch in their own ways. The Kings ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history this year, as they haven’t been in the playoffs since 2006. They entered the competition as a three-seed, and although they are down 3-2, they haven’t given up. This year the team brought in a new coach Mike Brown and made some serious trade decisions during the summer, greatly improving their odds for the season. In addition, the Kings were third in the league for rebounds per game and fourth for steals per game. They ended third in the Western Conference 48-34.
Although the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics entered the tournament as crowd favorites to win, the Bucks were already eliminated. The 76ers have advanced to the second round and will take on either Boston or Atlanta, as Boston currently leads their first-round series with the Hawks 3-2.
Round 2 of the 2023 playoffs will begin on April 29 with the Nuggets and Suns. The finals begin June 1 and will be held in a 2-2-1-1 style, meaning the higher seeds will host games 1 and 2, and then 5 and 7, if necessary, through June 18.
NBA playoffs always go so fast, with neverending action every day. It’ll be exciting to see who will get to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in June.