NBA Playoffs Round 1 MVPs of the West

(Photo : (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)) MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on after game two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on April 23, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Sun 105-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

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. 

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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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