Top Game 1 Standouts from NBA Playoff Openers

The NBA Playoffs officially kicked off over the weekend, with all eight series playing Game 1. The stars shined while role players stepped up big time. Today, we’re highlighting five key performers from Game 1 who powered their teams to a win:

Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves

It was clear early on in Los Angeles that the home team wasn’t going to allow Anthony Edwards to win the game single-handedly. The Lakers were over-helping on Edwards’ drives to try and make it difficult on Minnesota’s All-Star. Sagging off on the No. 3 ranked three-point shooting team isn’t a viable strategy, either, and the Timberwolves’ role players burned the Lakers in a dominant Game 1 win.

McDaniels entered the postseason on a 2-for-21 stretch from three over his last eight games. He finished Saturday’s matchup with 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-3 from deep. After he made his first couple of attempts, Laker defenders began closing out with a bit more urgency. That allowed McDaniels to attack the basket, and the Lakers had zero rim protection with center Jaxson Hayes only playing 8 minutes. If guys like McDaniels, Donte DiVicenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker keep making their shots, the Lakers are in serious trouble.

Ty Jerome, Cavaliers

The Cavaliers dominated the fourth quarter in their Game 1 win over the Miami Heat. It was a close game through the first three, but the No. 1 seed pulled away late. It was a game won by Cleveland’s backcourt. All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 57 points. Additionally, Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ty Jerome poured in 28 points off the bench.

16 of Jerome’s points came in that fourth quarter. He went 6-of-7 from the field including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Jerome was one of the most efficient bench scorers in the league during the regular season. A team as talented as the Cavaliers having the ability to bring guys like Jerome and De’Andre Hunter off the bench is a huge luxury. Cleveland’s depth will play a big role in this first-round battle.

Derrick White, Celtics

Derrick White picked up where he left off during last year’s postseason. In their first playoff game on their quest to back-to-back titles, White starred for the reigning champions. He finished Game 1 with 30 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. White nearly outscored Boston’s two stars — Jayson Tatum (17 points) and Jaylen Brown (16) — by himself. Going up against a stingy Magic defense, converting on open looks is vital. White accounted for seven of Boston’s 16 made threes. Orlando held a 49-48 lead heading into halftime, but White kept Boston in it with 16 first-half points. His contributions on both ends of the floor don’t go unnoticed.

Cameron Payne, Knicks

It looked like the Pistons toward a Game 1 upset, until a furious fourth quarter from the Knicks powered a New York win. Jalen Brunson (34 points, 8 assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks) were both fantastic. Reserve guard Cameron Payne also deserves some credit for fueling the comeback.

Trailing 98-90 with 9:16 left in the fourth quarter, Payne came down court and converted a layup plus a free throw. That basket sparked a 21-0 run for the Knicks. Payne hit two threes during that surge and with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting (3-of-5 from three). HC Tom Thibodeau is notorious for playing his starters heavy minutes. Any production the Knicks can get from their bench players will be massive.

Russell Westbrook, Nuggets

Watching Russell Westbrook in his first playoff game as a Nugget was a spectacle. He went 5-of-17 from the field, including 0-for-4 during overtime. Westbrook bricked a layup late in the fourth quarter when the Nuggets could have drained more clock.

However, he made several key plays which ignited the comeback victory. He scored Denver’s final seven points of regulation, including a three-pointer which gave the Nuggets the lead with 24 seconds remaining. Nursing a three-point advantage with 10 seconds to go overtime, Westbrook’s defense forced the Clippers to throw the ball away on an inbound pass — effectively ending the game. At this stage of his career, Westbrook’s energy is arguably his best trait. It will keep him in the rotation despite his obvious flaws.