With the NBA Playoffs tipping off on Saturday, many teams throughout the league will compete for a chance to win an NBA Championship.
Each of the seeded teams do hold a player who can help turn any series in their favor.
Here are some X-Factors for each Western Conference team in the NBA Playoffs from the first to the seventh seed.
NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Oklahoma City Thunder Jalen Williams | Power Forward
The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the No.1 seed out West behind an MVP-caliber season behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Rookie of the Year worthy season from Chet Holmgren.
However, Jalen Williams has been one of the many surprises for the Oklahoma City team, who won 57 games this season.
The dynamic forward has been big in scoring the basketball, averaging 19.1 points per game. Williams took some of the offensive load off of Gilgeous-Alexander and stepped up as a solid third option for the young Thunder.
If Jalen Williams manages to keep it going in the postseason, then there are reasons to believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder could go all the way.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray | Guard
The Denver Nuggets will look to defend their NBA title this year, entering the postseason as the odds on favorite to win it all again.
A big reason for the Nuggets being favorites is because of the play from Jamal Murray.
The 2023 NBA Playoffs served as a reminder of what Jamal Murray is and how good he is, as he torched the Timberwolves, Suns, and Lakers on the way to the NBA Finals last year.
Murray has been a strong source of offense for the Nuggets that has kept them formidable this season along with Nikola Jokic, who is leading the pack in the NBA MVP race.
If Jamal Murray could repeat what he did last season, then it is safe to assume the Denver Nuggets could go back-to-back.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Minnesota Timberwolves Naz Reid | Forward
In a season full of surprises, one of them being the Minnesota Timberwolves and another one being Naz Reid.
The Timberwolves finished the year strong, winning a total of 55 games this season. They spent the year hanging around the top of the Western Conference and Naz Reid has been part of the reason.
Reid became a breakout star the Timberwolves needed, rising as a candidate to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
He helped the team stay a force on defense in the front court, stepping up in games where Karl Anthony-Towns was out.
Naz Reid could potentially swing a series for the T-Wolves with the right amount of minutes and depending on their matchup.
NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Los Angeles Clippers Russell Westbrook | Point Guard
The Los Angeles Clippers roller coaster of a season could possibly end with the franchise winning their very first NBA Championship.
They survived a mid-season slump after trading for James Harden, now finished top four in the West.
Going into the NBA Playoffs, one player who could make a big difference for them is Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook has shown that he still has a lot left in the tank and is one of the better bench players in the league. Russell Westbrook could be good for one or two big games in the postseason.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Dallas Mavericks Daniel Gafford | Center
The Dallas Mavericks' dynamic backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic will look to lead the Mavs to their first championship since the 2011 season, where Dirk Nowitzki carried them to the promised land.
The Mavericks managed to climb out of the NBA Play-In with a strong month of April. The Daniel Gafford acquisition was a reason for their second half season boom.
Since being traded from the Wizards to the Mavs, Gafford has instantly given Dallas the boost on defense that they needed.
If Daniel Gafford's infectious impact can carry over into the postseason, then it's easy to imagine a world where the Mavericks are champions yet again.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Phoenix Suns Grayson Allen | Small Forward
In a Western Conference that is more guard-oriented than ever, Grayson Allen could be the key to the Phoenix Suns' success in the NBA Playoffs.
Allen, who recently re-signed a four-year deal with the Suns, has grown a reputation around the league as one of the better defensive hustle players who could also knock down a shot, spacing the floor.
Grayson Allen plays well off the Suns three headed monster in Booker-Beal-Durant, being another shooting option. He could also help take some defensive load off the three in any series.
Allen's defense alone could help the Suns swing a series against guard-heavy teams like the Thunder and Mavericks.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Los Angeles Lakers D'Angelo Russell | Point Guard
The Los Angeles Lakers regular season was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and the drama of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The Lakers managed to turn things around, finishing 46-36 behind another banner year from Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
One player who managed to carve out a big role and be a pivotal part in their second-half of the season success was D'Angelo Russell.
Russell increased his scoring numbers progressively and became a third option behind James and Davis, while also improving his defense.
If D'Angelo Russell continues his high-end play, the Los Angeles Lakers could likely make another deep postseason run.
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