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| 2017–18 NBA playoffs | |
|---|---|
| Title | 2017–18 NBA playoffs |
| Season | 2017–18 |
| Champions | Golden State Warriors |
| Titlecount | 3rd consecutive |
| Runnerup | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Teams | 16 |
| Duration | April–June 2018 |
| Mvp | Kevin Durant |
| Topscorer | James Harden |
2017–18 NBA playoffs The 2017–18 postseason of the National Basketball Association featured 16 teams competing in best-of-seven series culminating in the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in a rematch of prior Finals amid star-driven narratives involving Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kyrie Irving. The playoffs included teams from established markets such as Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and emerging contenders like Toronto, Houston, and Milwaukee.
The postseason used the established National Basketball Association structure with 16 qualifiers: the top eight from the Eastern Conference and the top eight from the Western Conference. Division winners such as the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors earned seeding advantages alongside wild-card teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics. The playoff bracket followed the NBA's 2–2–1–1–1 homecourt pattern for series involving teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Seeding produced matchups between storied franchises including the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and the Portland Trail Blazers, with rookie-laden rosters from the Oklahoma City Thunder and veteran cores from the Utah Jazz.
The bracket paired the conference one-seeds with eight-seeds and matched regional rivals such as the Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards. High-profile players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Anthony Davis populated the bracket, while coaches including Steve Kerr, Tyronn Lue, Gregg Popovich, and Doc Rivers prepared game plans. The bracket reflected regular-season storylines involving the Boston Celtics emergence under Brad Stevens, the Houston Rockets' three-point emphasis under Mike D'Antoni, and the Philadelphia 76ers' process overseen by Brett Brown and executives such as Sam Hinkie alumni.
First-round series featured dramatic finishes and sweeps: the Golden State Warriors swept the San Antonio Spurs while the Houston Rockets advanced past the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the Indiana Pacers. Upsets and tight contests involved the Toronto Raptors defeating the Washington Wizards, the Boston Celtics dispatching the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Philadelphia 76ers falling to the Miami Heat. Game-changing performances from Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Giannis Antetokounmpo influenced outcomes, with veteran playoff contributors such as Dwyane Wade, Leandro Barbosa, Pau Gasol, and LaMarcus Aldridge providing depth.
Conference Semifinals narrowed fields to conference finalists amid tactical battles: the Golden State Warriors faced the New Orleans Pelicans with stars Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins involved, while the Houston Rockets battled the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers met the Toronto Raptors. Strategic adjustments by coaches including Mike D'Antoni, Quin Snyder, Tyronn Lue, and Steve Kerr highlighted playoff rotations. Key contributors such as Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Rudy Gobert, Serge Ibaka, and Jae Crowder shaped series narratives, and role players like Andre Iguodala, Eric Gordon, JR Smith, and Jonas Valančiūnas influenced pivotal games.
The Western Conference Final featured the Golden State Warriors defeating the Houston Rockets in a series marked by the matchup between Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and the Rockets' core of James Harden and Chris Paul. The Eastern Conference Final saw the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome the Boston Celtics, highlighted by performances from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas, and Al Horford. Controversy and narrative surrounding coaching decisions by Mike D'Antoni and Brad Stevens intersected with veteran leadership from LeBron James and the Warriors' dynasty continuity under Steve Kerr and front office figures like Bob Myers.
The NBA Finals rematch paired the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth time in five seasons, featuring stars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and LeBron James. The Warriors claimed the title with decisive victories, while Durant earned Finals honors and recognition among contemporaries such as Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan in legacy discussions. Media coverage referenced league figures including Adam Silver, and the Finals generated global viewership involving markets like Oakland, San Francisco, Cleveland, and international fanbases linked to players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert.
Individual and team statistics highlighted historic achievements: Kevin Durant averaged Finals-leading scoring and efficiency, while LeBron James produced all-time playoff aggregates joining lists with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan. The Golden State Warriors excelled in three-point shooting via Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and ball movement facilitated by Draymond Green. Other notable statistical leaders included James Harden in scoring, Russell Westbrook in assists and rebounds in select series, and defensive standouts like Rudy Gobert and Kawhi Leonard in advanced metrics. Historical comparisons invoked franchises such as the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s and the San Antonio Spurs championship teams.
The postseason reinforced narratives about superteam construction exemplified by the Golden State Warriors and sparked roster moves across the league involving stars like Kyrie Irving and executives in franchises such as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Discussions about competitive balance influenced commissioner Adam Silver's policy dialogues and media analysis from outlets covering the National Basketball Association. The 2018 playoffs impacted subsequent trades, free agency decisions by players including Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and coaching changes involving figures such as Mike D'Antoni and Brad Stevens, and contributed to the league's global growth in markets like China and Canada.
Category:National Basketball Association playoffs