The drama of the NBA Playoffs has lived up to its hype.
Almost halfway through the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, each series has had an unsung hero who has established themselves as the standout performer, or, Series MVP.
Here are some round 1 series standouts so far through the 2024 NBA Western Conference playoffs.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Round 1 MVP: (OKC) Chet Holmgren
In their first playoff series together, the young Oklahoma City Thunder team has shown up and asserted their will against his Zion Williamson-less New Orlean Pelicans.
Throughout the first round, you could make the case for SGA as the team's leader and potential MVP. However, Chet Holmgren has been the Batman to his Superman play.
Holmgren has stepped up for the Thunder in his first playoff series in his young career; Chet's stats so far may not be flashy, but he definitely has made a huge impact in this series with the Pelicans.
Shai, Chet , and Jalen Williams went lethal weapon 3 ππ₯ all 3 were super efficient were over 58 FG% @shaiglalex 33 points 5 assists 68 FG% @ChetHolmgren 26 points 7 rebounds 69 FG% & @jdubwttp 21 points 7 assists 5 Reboinds 58 FG% @JordanRichardSC
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) April 25, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Dfti0tKJlK
Chet Holmgren has managed to hold the paint down against prominent players, with a staggering five blocks in game 1, and he became the first first rookie in OKC franchise history to score at least 25 points and grab five rebounds in a playoff game..
Based on how Chet Holmgren has been playing it's hard to rule out the Oklahoma City Thunder losing this series.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Round 1 MVP: (DEN) Jamal Murray
The Denver Nuggets have taken a commanding 3-0 lead against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite not being the most efficient player on the court through the past three games of the series, Jamal Murray has still come up in big moments halfway through their round 1 series against the Lakers.
Murray torched LA's hopes by hitting a big-time game-winning shot in game 2 to give the Nuggets an edge in the series.
Jamal Murray has also managed to continue to be a major scoring threat for the Denver Nuggets, which has helped cut through any lead the Lakers could amass.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns
Round 1 MVP: (MIN) Rudy Gobert
The usual story around Rudy Gobert is that he becomes a liability on offense in the NBA playoffs.
However, that couldn't be any less of the case this time around, as Gobert has played a significant role in helping the Minnesota Timberwolves take a 3-0 lead.
His defense has set the tone for the Timberwolves throughout the series and his offensive impact has been evident.
Gobert has done a solid job anchoring the league's best defense and has contributed to the Timberwolves' success in the postseason.
Rudy Gobert scored 14 points with 16 rebounds in game 1 and 18 points with 9 rebounds in game 2. Following these, his game 3 performance was his best so far with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
A lot to like from Rudy Gobert in G2 vs PHX defending in space and isolation.
He was very comfortable extending his defense to take on Phoenix's ball handlers and contained them well overall. Impressive mobility. pic.twitter.com/xaGhjr7OYj— π₯β΄ππΆπ½ (@Huncho_Jman) April 24, 2024
Staying on the court late to seal games defensively is another reason why Gobert's presence translates to success for the Timberwolves.
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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Round 1 MVP: (LAC) James Harden
Although the Dallas Mavericks have taken a 2-1 lead in the series, a shocking player for the Los Angeles Clippers has finally been showing up in the playoffs.
That player being James Harden.
There have been several big-time heroics on both sides, with each team holding a lot of star power matched with their role players.
Throughout the series' initial 3 games, James Harden has turned back the clock with 3 tremendous performances.
He scored 28 points in game 1 and then dropped 22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal, and a block in game 2. Most recently, James Harden put up 21 points while hitting 5 of 8 three point shots in the Clippers loss to the Mavs last night.
Harden has developed quite a reputation for not showing up in the postseason, a trend that has followed him at every stop since his days as a number-one option with the Rockets.
Now as a role player with the Clippers, James Harden is seeing some of his most efficient playoff performances on both sides of the court.
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