As I sit down to map out the 2021 NBA playoff schedule and standings, I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed since the last time I followed a full NBA season. It reminds me of a quote I recently came across from a basketball coach overseas—Yamamoto, who coaches in the Philippines, said, “It’s been quite a long time since I last faced coach Shaq. He has different players now with Cignal and I couldn’t recognize them anymore from my last stint in the Philippines.” That sense of unfamiliarity resonates with me as I dive into this year’s playoff picture. Rosters have shifted, teams have evolved, and even as a longtime fan, I find myself needing a moment to reorient. The 2021 NBA playoffs, which tipped off on May 22nd, have been nothing short of a rollercoaster, and I’m excited to walk you through the key dates, matchups, and standings that have defined this postseason.
Let’s start with the basics—the structure. The NBA stuck with the play-in tournament format this year, which I personally think adds a thrilling layer of drama, even if it complicates predictions. From May 18th to 21st, teams like the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies battled it out for those final playoff spots, and honestly, watching Stephen Curry carry the Warriors was one of the highlights of my spring. The main playoffs then kicked off with the first round running from May 22nd to early June, followed by the conference semifinals, finals, and ultimately, the NBA Finals scheduled to begin on July 8th. I’ve always loved how the NBA spreads out the games, giving us fans time to digest each series, but this year felt a bit rushed—maybe it’s just me, but the condensed schedule due to the pandemic hangover made it harder to keep up. As of late June, we’ve seen some surprises; for instance, the Phoenix Suns, who finished with a 51–21 record in the regular season, have been dominating the Western Conference, while the Brooklyn Nets, despite their star-studded lineup, faced tougher resistance than I expected.
Now, diving into the standings and key matchups, I have to admit I’m biased toward underdog stories. The Utah Jazz, for example, clinched the top seed in the West with a 52–20 record, and watching Donovan Mitchell lead that team has been a joy. On the other hand, the Eastern Conference has been a battleground, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks jockeying for position—I’ve always been skeptical of the Bucks in the playoffs, and this year, they’ve had to prove themselves against tough opponents like the Nets. Speaking of which, the Nets vs. Bucks series in the second round was, in my opinion, one of the most intense matchups, with Kevin Durant putting up historic numbers. I remember crunching the stats and seeing that Durant averaged over 35 points per game in that series, which just shows how individual brilliance can shift the entire dynamic. Meanwhile, out West, the Clippers and Suns have been trading blows, and I can’t help but root for Chris Paul—after all those years, he deserves a shot at the title.
As we move deeper into the playoffs, the current standings as of late June show the Suns and Hawks making surprising runs, and I’ve got to say, it’s refreshing to see new faces in the conference finals. The Hawks, led by Trae Young, have been the Cinderella story, and I’ll be honest—I didn’t see that coming. Their matchup against the Bucks has been gritty, and it’s these kinds of twists that make the NBA playoffs so compelling. On the other hand, the Lakers’ early exit was a shocker; as a LeBron James fan, it stung to see them struggle with injuries, but it also highlights how unpredictable this season has been. Reflecting on Yamamoto’s comment about not recognizing players, I feel that—teams like the Suns and Hawks have young cores that weren’t on my radar a couple of years ago, and it’s a testament to how quickly the league evolves.
In wrapping up, the 2021 NBA playoffs have been a testament to resilience and change, much like the shifts Yamamoto observed in his own coaching experiences. From the play-in tournament upsets to the nail-biting conference finals, this postseason has delivered non-stop action, and I’ve loved every minute of analyzing it. Sure, my predictions have been off at times—I thought the Nets would cruise to the Finals, but here we are—and that’s part of the fun. As we look ahead to the NBA Finals in July, whether it’s the Suns chasing their first title or the Bucks breaking their drought, one thing’s for certain: the landscape of the NBA is shifting, and I, for one, can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. If you’re following along, keep an eye on those key dates and standings—they tell a story that’s as much about numbers as it is about heart.
