NBA: 5 best individual performances through the first round of the playoffs

Taking a look at a few of the most impressive individual performances through the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs

With the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs nearly in the books, there have been a number of interesting and eye-catching individual performances. As we inch closer to the second round, let’s take a look at a few players that have been the most impressive thus far in the playoffs.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Stats: 33.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, .846 FT%, .481 3P%, .461 FG%

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This postseason has been Dame Lillard’s best ever. He has made all the right decisions and can’t seem to do any wrong. Apart from his amazing performances in the five games that it took his Portland Trail Blazers to dispose of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard has perhaps been an even better leader – both on and off the court.

Lillard’s Game 5 shot (which eliminated the Blazers) was heard around the NBA world. But it wasn’t just one shot that defined Lillard’s performance. In Game 5, Lillard finished with 50 points in the game, making 10 3’s.

Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors

Stats: 27.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists

Kawhi Leonard was arguably the most efficient player in the first round and probably the best individual defensive player as well. Kawhi not only averaged almost 28 points per contest but shot 57 percent from the field, 54 percent from 3-point range and 89 percent from the free throw line doing so.

Kawhi has essentially been the superstar that many Raptors fans expected DeMar DeRozan to be during the team’s last few seasons in the playoffs. It must bring a breath of fresh air for Toronto fans. And if he can keep this up, there’s no question that the Raptors are just getting started.

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

Stats: 22.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds

For the most part, Kyrie Irving has been sensational in the first round of the playoffs. In Game 2 specifically, Kyrie scored 37 points on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field. In was reminiscent of the Kyrie that we saw in the 2016 NBA Finals. Even though Kyrie didn’t exactly shoot the best overall percentage from the field in the first round, it’s of note that he was red-hot from 3-point range (42%).

During the first round, Kyrie hit some big shots and was easily the best player on the Boston Celtics when it mattered most. If he can carry that into round two, there’s no question that the Celtics will give the Milwaukee Bucks all they could handle.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Stats: 19.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks

Had Joel Embiid been healthy for the entire series against the Brooklyn Nets, his performance would have been at the top of the list. The Philadelphia 76ers had no answer for Embiid and he was able to score nearly average 20 points a game while only playing 19 minutes per contest in the first round. In addition to his domination on the offensive end, his defense was almost equally sensational for the 76ers.

Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Stats: 32 points, 5.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds

Kevin Durant has been the most offensively dominant player so far in the playoffs and is averaging over 32 points per game on over 55 percent shooting from the field. However, he had some off games and is suffering from nearly five turnovers a game and many senseless fouls.

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His back and forth with Patrick Beverley has somewhat taken away from his performance in the first round, plus losing two games at home. Durant is very capable of being the best player on this list and while he’s been great thus far in the playoffs, he has another level that we still haven’t seen yet.

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