Top 10 Best Players of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs

Luka did nearly everything in his power to make sure the Mavericks would advance to the next round. Apparently however, other players did not have the same idea. The Mavericks ended up losing in game 7 to the Clippers, despite the fact that Luka averaged 36, 10, and 8 throughout the playoff series, including a 46 point and 14 assist game 7, where he accounted for 40% of the teams points, and assisted for an additional 24% of the teams points. It is mind-boggling to me how the Mavericks were not able to win this series, with Luka's incredible performances.

Another player who had his team disappoint him, Lillard was able to once again provide generational statistics in the playoff series, scoring 55 points in game 5 (they lost), and ended up breaking the record for most three pointers in a series, in only 6 games. Averaging 34 points, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists per game, 45% from three point range, and still losing? Lillard was once again disappointed by his supporting cast on the Trailblazers.

The league MVP, Jokic did not disappoint for the Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs this season. Through 6 games, he averaged 33 points per game, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, a continuation of his numbers during his MVP regular season. This included a 36 point, 8 rebound, 6 assist game to clinch the series win in game 6. He certainly helped prove why he was named MVP, in this series.

Kevin Durant, along with the rest of the Brooklyn Nets cast, absolutely crushed the Boston Celtics in the first round. This was behind Kevin Durant's impressive performance, averaging 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists over the course of the series. This included a game 4 performance of 42 points in 40 minutes, where the big 3 cemented themselves as one of the best trio in the league.

Giannis and the Bucks, in a surprising rout of the Heat, reached new heights, especially Giannis, who averaged 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists during the series. More importantly however, Giannis guarded Jimmy Butler for most of the series, holding him to much below his talent level, allowing only 14.5 points per game to Butler during the series. This defense coupled with his offensive leadership helped lead the Bucks to a resounding victory.

Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers were able to win a close series against Luka Doncic. Leonard averaged 32 points per game, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists going off against one of the young guns of the NBA. In a situation facing elimination at the end of the series, Kawhi scored 45 in game 6, and won two straight to win the series in game 7.

There was nothing funnier in the first round of the NBA playoffs than Trae Young making the New York Knicks fans angry. Young and the Hawks balled out against New York, where Trae averaged 29 points per game, and 10 assists, in one of the most hostile environments in all of basketball. He was even able to score a buzzer beater to win game one, silencing the knicks crowd.

Trae Young went nuclear against the Knicks. Super funny series in reality.

Devin Booker and a hot Suns team went into the Lakers series against a powerful LeBron James, and was able to defeat the Lakers in 6 games. Booker balled out, averaging 30 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, on 50% shooting and 46% from three point range, plus a 47 point game in game six to win the series, in 46 minutes.

Devin Booker is at least top three for me. That man absolutely dominated my team. Complete respect to him. He has cemented himself.

Aside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, James Harden still put up incredible numbers against the Celtics. Harden averaged a near triple double, at 28 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds throughout the series, and shot at an incredible 55%, and 47% from 3 point range. Even when he isn't the only star, Harden has shown he can still get it done in Brooklyn.