10 gut reactions after the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs

10 gut reactions and what they could mean moving forward after the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs. 

The 2023 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and they got off to quite the start after an action-packed first couple of days. Each of the 16 teams has already played Game 1 with a slate of Game 2s set to begin at the start of this week.

After the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs, we explore 10 gut reactions.

These aren’t the same old Philadelphia 76ers?

The Philadelphia 76ers never once looked shaky in their Game 1 dominating win against the Brooklyn Nets. From the opening tip, Philly looked like a team that was on a mission. The Sixers, as they grabbed a 1-0 series lead, cruised to a 121-101 Game 1 win. Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tobias Harris combined for combined to score 70 points in the win. It’s unlikely to expect 70 from the trio every game moving forward, but it was an encouraging sign for a team that needs to make a deep run.

It’ll be interesting to see how this series continues to evolve but it may not be too early to say that this might be a new Sixers team. In the past, concerns would arise even in the Sixers’ playoff wins. I’m not sure there was any moment in Game 1 where you doubted this team. And that’s a great indication of a team that is locked in.

The Sixers still have to prove it but at least through one game, they’ve continued to look as impressive as they did during the regular season. The Sixers have to feel good about where they are at this point in the season.