Breaking Down the 2021 NBA Playoffs Standings and Final Team Rankings

Looking back at the 2021 NBA Playoffs, I still get that familiar rush of excitement mixed with analytical curiosity. As someone who’s followed the league for over a decade, both as a fan and a professional analyst, I’ve come to appreciate how unique each postseason truly is—and 2021 was no exception. The compressed schedule, health protocols, and empty arenas created a bizarre but fascinating backdrop. What stood out to me, though, was how teams navigated those challenges, almost echoing the sentiment from Dy’s confident approach toward stakeholder alignment despite scheduling conflicts. In the NBA, sorting things out under pressure is what separates contenders from the rest.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ championship run felt like a long-awaited coronation, not just for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but for a franchise that had faced years of playoff disappointment. I remember watching Game 6 of the Finals when Giannis dropped 50 points—an iconic performance that sealed their first title in 50 years. The Bucks finished the playoffs with a 16-7 record, and their net rating of +4.3 reflected their dominance, especially in the paint where they outscored opponents by nearly 9 points per game. Personally, I’ve always believed in Giannis’ ability to elevate his game when it mattered most, and seeing him average 30.2 points and 12.8 rebounds in the Finals was a validation of that faith. The Phoenix Suns, as the Western Conference champions, put up an incredible fight, with Chris Paul orchestrating the offense like the seasoned maestro he is. Their 14-9 playoff record doesn’t fully capture how close they came to lifting the trophy, and I’d argue that if not for a few key injuries, the outcome might have been different.

What fascinated me about the 2021 standings was the unpredictability from round to round. The Brooklyn Nets, for instance, entered as favorites with their star-studded trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Yet, injuries and defensive lapses cost them in a thrilling seven-game series against the Bucks. I can’t help but think how different things could’ve been if Harden hadn’t strained his hamstring—their offensive rating of 118.7 in the regular season was historic, but playoff basketball demands more than just firepower. On the other hand, the Atlanta Hawks’ Cinderella story, led by Trae Young, was a joy to watch. They knocked out the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, and Young’s 28.8 points per game in the playoffs showcased his fearlessness. As an analyst, I tend to favor underdog narratives, and the Hawks’ run reminded me why—it’s not always about the superteams.

The Western Conference was equally dramatic, with the Utah Jazz finishing with the league’s best regular-season record (52-20) but falling short in the playoffs. Donovan Mitchell’s 32.3 points per game in the postseason were spectacular, yet their collapse against the LA Clippers in the second round highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities. Speaking of the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard’s absence in the later stages due to a knee injury was a brutal blow, but Paul George stepped up admirably, averaging 26.9 points in the conference finals. From my perspective, the Clippers’ resilience was one of the underrated stories of the playoffs, even if they fell short of the Finals. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets, despite losing Jamal Murray to injury, pushed through with Nikola Jokić’s MVP-level performances—his 29.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in the playoffs were a testament to his versatility.

As I reflect on the final team rankings, it’s clear that adaptability was the defining theme. The Bucks adapted their defensive schemes, the Suns adapted to their first deep playoff run in years, and even lower-seeded teams like the Memphis Grizzlies showed flashes of brilliance. Ja Morant’s 30.2 points per game in their first-round series against the Jazz was a statement for the future. In many ways, the 2021 playoffs mirrored the broader challenges of that era—teams had to sort out roster issues, health concerns, and scheduling hurdles, much like Dy’s confidence in managing stakeholder conflicts. For me, this postseason reinforced that basketball, at its core, is about overcoming obstacles, and the standings tell only part of that story. The Bucks may have topped the final rankings, but the collective drama, upsets, and individual brilliance are what make this season unforgettable in my book.