Abdimalik Mohamed, sports editor

Over the last week or so, the NBA playoffs have started and haven’t disappointed. I can’t really remember the last time I was this excited for a playoff about everything from the level competition to the storylines and the contenders for the championship. In one corner, we have Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the other corner, to use a boxing metaphor, we have the ridiculous tandem of LeBron James and Luka Dončić. In another series, we have James Harden and Kawhi Leonard leading the Los Angeles Clippers into a brutal series against the four-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. These two series are the ones that I and the entire basketball world are looking forward to, so here are some cliff notes on those series and some others.

Starting off in the east with the two powerhouses, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to take care of business against the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat respectively. The Celtics are missing their superstar Jayson Tatum due to a wrist injury, which doesn’t look too serious, but they probably won’t need him against the young upstart Orlando Magic anyway. Cleveland is facing a feisty Miami Heat team that prides itself on culture and next man up. Sure, they traded their best player — Jimmy Butler — a couple of months ago, but when it comes to the Heat you never know. Boston and Cleveland are expected to win their first round games. 

Now to the other two series. Indiana vs Milwaukee is a series that has caused a ton of fireworks and mayhem. The two sides are jawing back and forth like a pack of wolves and I love it. Indiana is likely to win that series but hey, Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best three players in the world and he might have something to say about that. The last series in the east is the New York Knicks vs the Detroit Pistons, a series which promises to be physical and nasty. Detroit is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and have had a miraculous turnaround from laughing stock to the six seed. The New York Knicks on the other hand have been on cruise control and are expected to win this series, but something tells me that the Pistons have other plans. 

Off in the wild wild west, the Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-six matchup which looks to be phenomenal. Dončić and James vs Anthony Edwards is something every basketball fan should want to see. Another matchup that I want to talk about is the Houston Rockets vs the Golden State Warriors. Old vs New. Young vs Old. Whatever you want to say, this series is one that everyone should tune in for, because of Stephen Curry and the Greatness of Stephen Curry. All in all, I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds and who at the end holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy.