The 2023 NBA Playoffs Is More Drama Than Reality TV - Here’s What You’re Missing

Round 1 of the NBA playoffs is in full swing, and it's been one wild ride! From stunning upsets to crushing injuries, drama has been the name of the game in every series so far. But that's not all, folks - some of the league's more seasoned players are showing off their age-defying skills and reminding us why they're still some of the biggest stars in the game. Round 1 of the 2023 NBA playoffs has been packed with nonstop action and juicy drama. From heated trash-talking to brutal flagrant fouls, it has been a wild ride that has fans on the edge of their seats. Three teams have managed to secure a spot in the conference semifinals so far, which include the Philadelphia 76ers (beating the Brooklyn Nets), the Denver Nuggets (defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves), and the Phoenix Suns (after beating the Los Angeles Clippers). Unfortunately for the 76ers, their star player, Joel Embiid, is currently dealing with a pesky sprained right knee. As a result, the Sixers are hoping for a later start date so that Joel has more time to recover. With three series at 3-1 (Los Angeles Lakers over Memphis Grizzlies, New York in front of Cleveland, and Miami Heat over Milwaukee Grizzlies), one tied at 2-2 (Golden State Warriors-Sacramento Kings), and one series at 3-2 (Boston on top of Atlanta), it's anyone's game. But let's talk about the real drama that unfolded during the weekend - the trash-talking between Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. You’ll recall, Dillon, 27, called King James, 38, “old” during a post-game interview following the Grizzlies’ Game 2 victory. "I don't care. He's old. ... I don't respect no one until they come and give me 40." Dillon Brooks on his exchange with LeBron (via @espn_macmahon)pic.twitter.com/P5yNF2c1pT — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2023 This beef took center stage heading into Game 3, only to be overshadowed by Dillon’s ejection after striking LeBron in the groin area on Saturday during Game 4. Watch below: Dillon Brooks was ejected after receiving a flagrant 2 for this hit to LeBron. pic.twitter.com/LL9CLRAryy — ESPN (@espn) April 23, 2023 The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies, 117-111. Dillon Brooks addressed his recent ejection from Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He believes that the public's perception of him as a "villain" played a role in the flagrant foul 2 call that led to his early departure from the game in the third quarter. Dillon Brooks didn’t speak to reporters for the second straight game. “I’m out,” he said. — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 25, 2023 While Dillon declined to comment immediately following the game, he clarified after Sunday's practice at USC's Galen Center that his left hand unintentionally struck LeBron's groin as he attempted to steal the ball while the Lakers star was dribbling up the court. Despite not receiving an explanation from referee Marc Davis, the crew chief, for the flagrant 2 call, Dillon speculated that his reputation as a "villain," as well as the recent ejection of Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden for a similar groin strike in Game 3 of the series against the Brooklyn Nets, influenced the decision. As for another suspension… Dejounte Murray: "God is real. The devil is a lie. Tried to cheat, suspend me. We back to the A." (h/t @ClutchPointsApp) pic.twitter.com/kpYg8J6KY1 — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 26, 2023 The NBA announced that Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray was suspended for Game 5 of the first-round series between the Celtics and Hawks after bumping into an official on Sunday night. The incident took place during the closing moments of Boston's 129-121 victory over the Hawks in Game 4 at State Farm Arena. Dejounte bumped into referee Gediminas Petraitis before storming off the court, shouting in the official's direction as his teammates and Hawks personnel escorted him to the locker room. Watch below: Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Game 5 against the Celtics after making contact with an official at the end of the Hawks Game 4 loss. pic.twitter.com/3U2Uhd3afE — Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 24, 2023 Luckily for the Hawks, they were able to pull off a Game victory, defeating the Celtics 119,117. LETS HEAD BACK TO ATLANTA !!!! I Love My Team. ALL FIGHT Against All Odds!!!! ATLANTA VS EVERYBODY!!!!!!! @TheTraeYoung BOIIIIIIIIIIIIII YOU BEEN THAT!!!!! — Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) April 26, 2023 As for a heated moment between a player and a fan...         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by TheYBF (@theybf_daily) Los Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook got into it with a Phoenix Suns fan after Game 1 of the Clippers vs. Suns game in Phoenix. Apparently the Suns fam called Russ “Westbrick” after he went 3 for 19. And Russ was NOT having it. That nickname has haunted him since the Lakers. Russ still killed it on defense last night and helped the Clippers pull off an ups

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Apr 26, 2023 - 15:00
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The 2023 NBA Playoffs Is More Drama Than Reality TV - Here’s What You’re Missing

Round 1 of the NBA playoffs is in full swing, and it's been one wild ride! From stunning upsets to crushing injuries, drama has been the name of the game in every series so far. But that's not all, folks - some of the league's more seasoned players are showing off their age-defying skills and reminding us why they're still some of the biggest stars in the game.

Round 1 of the 2023 NBA playoffs has been packed with nonstop action and juicy drama. From heated trash-talking to brutal flagrant fouls, it has been a wild ride that has fans on the edge of their seats.

Three teams have managed to secure a spot in the conference semifinals so far, which include the Philadelphia 76ers (beating the Brooklyn Nets), the Denver Nuggets (defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves), and the Phoenix Suns (after beating the Los Angeles Clippers).

Unfortunately for the 76ers, their star player, Joel Embiid, is currently dealing with a pesky sprained right knee. As a result, the Sixers are hoping for a later start date so that Joel has more time to recover.

With three series at 3-1 (Los Angeles Lakers over Memphis Grizzlies, New York in front of Cleveland, and Miami Heat over Milwaukee Grizzlies), one tied at 2-2 (Golden State Warriors-Sacramento Kings), and one series at 3-2 (Boston on top of Atlanta), it's anyone's game.

But let's talk about the real drama that unfolded during the weekend - the trash-talking between Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. You’ll recall, Dillon, 27, called King James, 38, “old” during a post-game interview following the Grizzlies’ Game 2 victory.

This beef took center stage heading into Game 3, only to be overshadowed by Dillon’s ejection after striking LeBron in the groin area on Saturday during Game 4. Watch below:

The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies, 117-111.

Dillon Brooks addressed his recent ejection from Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He believes that the public's perception of him as a "villain" played a role in the flagrant foul 2 call that led to his early departure from the game in the third quarter.

While Dillon declined to comment immediately following the game, he clarified after Sunday's practice at USC's Galen Center that his left hand unintentionally struck LeBron's groin as he attempted to steal the ball while the Lakers star was dribbling up the court.

Despite not receiving an explanation from referee Marc Davis, the crew chief, for the flagrant 2 call, Dillon speculated that his reputation as a "villain," as well as the recent ejection of Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden for a similar groin strike in Game 3 of the series against the Brooklyn Nets, influenced the decision.

As for another suspension…

The NBA announced that Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray was suspended for Game 5 of the first-round series between the Celtics and Hawks after bumping into an official on Sunday night. The incident took place during the closing moments of Boston's 129-121 victory over the Hawks in Game 4 at State Farm Arena.

Dejounte bumped into referee Gediminas Petraitis before storming off the court, shouting in the official's direction as his teammates and Hawks personnel escorted him to the locker room.

Watch below:

Luckily for the Hawks, they were able to pull off a Game victory, defeating the Celtics 119,117.

As for a heated moment between a player and a fan...

Los Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook got into it with a Phoenix Suns fan after Game 1 of the Clippers vs. Suns game in Phoenix. Apparently the Suns fam called Russ “Westbrick” after he went 3 for 19. And Russ was NOT having it. That nickname has haunted him since the Lakers. Russ still killed it on defense last night and helped the Clippers pull off an upset to win 115-110.

Watch the exchange above.

For the latest injury…

Sources have just confirmed to ESPN that LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Ouch!

Now, the Clippers and Kawhi will have to decide what they're gonna do about this injury in the next two weeks, according to sources who talked to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

And if you thought things couldn't get any worse for the Clippers, well, think again! Kawhi sat out the last three games of their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns due to the injury he sustained in Game 1. The Clips lost four games straight after starting the series with a win.

Kawhi actually played through the pain in Game 2 before he was finally ruled out for Games 3-5. And guess what else? The Clippers were ELIMINATED from the playoffs with a 136-130 loss just yesterday.

And if that wasn't enough to make Clippers fans cry themselves to sleep at night, they also lost Paul George, who's been out since March 21 with a right knee sprain. Sheesh.

Speaking of injuries…

After proving themselves as a tough team to face in the first round of the Western playoffs, the Sacramento Kings have been hit with some unfortunate news.

All-Star point guard De'Aaron Fox has sustained a fractured index finger on his left hand, which happens to be his shooting hand.

Despite the injury, Sacramento's star guard announced his intention to play in Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors tonight.

 

 

Thanks to key adjustments and clutch performances from Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett, the New York Knicks (3-1) are on the verge of securing their first playoff series win in a decade.

Despite being the clear underdogs entering their first-round series against the Cavaliers, the New York Knicks have proven themselves as the better team in the first four games. Will they win tonight in Game 5 to end the series? We shall see.

 

 

The Golden State Warriors made a historic comeback after being down 2-0 against the Kings. The Golden State Warriors have only managed to overcome a 2-0 deficit in playoff series once in their franchise history, and the only example of this dates all the way back to the 1987 NBA Playoffs.

However, it's been a bumpy road. During Game 2, Warriors baller Draymond Green was ejected for stomping on the chest of Kings' star Domantas Sabonis. Draymond was suspended for Game 3, but the team was able to pull through with a major win to keep them in the running.

Draymond returned for Game 4 and he didn’t waste time to drum up more drama.

During the game, Draymond fouled Kings rookie Keegan Murray hard, hitting him in the face. De'Aaron Fox did not approve of Draymond’s actions, considering he had just come back from a one-game suspension for stomping on Kings center Domantas Sabonis, and he let it be known. Watch their exchange below:

Both Draymond and De'Aaron received technical fouls following the altercation. The Warriors and the Kings face off in Game 5 tonight.

Over the weekend, tons of celebs have been spotted courtside (and in the stands) during Round 1 of the NBA Playoff games.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were seen all boo’d up at the Lakers vs. Grizzlies game Monday night:

See more of you of your faves, including GloRilla, Yo Gotti, Spike Lee, Diddy, Kanye & Kim's son Saint West (rocking a Tristan Thompson Lakers jersey), Ari Fletcher & her man Moneybagg Yo, NFL QB Deshaun Watson, J. Cole, Tracy Morgan, Victor Cruz and more, in the stands and courtside for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight’s games include: Knicks vs. Cavaliers, Lakers vs. Grizzlies, Heat vs. Bucks, and Warriors vs. Kings. Who are you rooting or?

Photo: AP Photo/Brandon Dill/AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

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