It’s been discussed. Perhaps not enough. Not early enough. But when taking in the landscape of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, there’s a common theme. Most of the teams left standing are led by stars from the new generation.
The players that fans are used to seeing dominate in the playoffs —LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant —are all at home, vacationing early. In fact, Curry’s Golden State Warriors never even clinched a postseason berth. After winning three championships in a five-year stretch, the mighty Warriors have missed the playoffs in three of the last five seasons.
James’ squad was stonewalled by the reigning NBA champions. Nonetheless, he and Durant’s teams were upended by teams that only recently achieved their critical acclaim. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks, as well as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George’s Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated in the First Round as well. Notably, Antetokounmpo and Leonard didn’t play much if any in their series.
However, that serves to prove that a changing of the guard has arrived, as few young stars have let injuries keep them out of the lineup. That includes Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, banged up with myriad injuries. It was Doncic and Co. that took down the Clippers in six games. Though the Mavs are buoyed by 32-year-old Kyrie Irving, Doncic is averaging team-highs of 27.1 points and 9.0 assists per game.
Kyrie Irving Hypes Up Rise of New Generation
Doncic’s brother-in-arms noted that his contemporaries may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. However, the eight-time All-Star seems to take this as a challenge, all while appreciating the change.
“I’ve been competing with those guys for so long and seeing them every year,” Irving tells ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“It’s been pretty much our generation running the Finals, the Eastern Conference Finals, Western Conference Finals. [The shift has] just been quick. I don’t want to say I know that those guys are looking at the light in the tunnel. I can’t speak for them.
But to see this newer generation come in and to see how it’s played out, I’m excited. It keeps me motivated and inspired to continue to lead my generation, because I was the youngest of that generation watching them.”
“These young kids, they have no fear,” Irving continues. “When you have that much talent and you have no fear, the world is yours.”
Ahead of the Curve
The Mavs’ current playoff opponent is one of the teams Irving was talking about.
Led by 2024 NBA MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder are down 3-2 to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. To get there, Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. swept the New Orleans Pelicans. Led by veteran CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans were unable to get much lift with high-flyer Zion Williamson sidelined.
The Thunder, also featuring youngsters Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, are now the youngest team to win a playoff series.
Taking Down the Champs
Last night, Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves soundly defeated the Denver Nuggets.
Led by Nikola Jokic, the 29-year-old three-time MVP, the Nuggets won their first NBA championship in 2023. Looking to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018), they must take down a team led by a 22-year-old just to reach the Conference Finals. However, there’s no guarantee they will.
Among the most fearless young players in the league, Edwards’ postseason dominance has drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan.
The Last Man Standing
The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers also defeated veteran teams to get to the second round.
Both Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton broke out last season, becoming All-Stars since then. With the Knicks and Pacers putting the ball in their hands, they know they have their best shot at winning. However, only one of the two will be making it to the Western Conference Finals as the teams face off on the semifinals.
Similarly, only one of Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander can advance to the next round.
