Standing NBA 2021 Playoffs: Complete Team Rankings and Playoff Bracket Analysis
I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2021 NBA playoffs—the energy felt different after that pandemic-disrupted season. Teams were finally playing in front of crowds again, and you could sense the players were hungry for normalcy and competition. Interestingly, this theme of reconnection resonates beyond the court. I was reminded of this when I came across that quote from TNT Tropang 5G's team manager, Lastimosa, about Devin "just visiting the Philippines after we were able to reconnect a few months ago." It struck me how the entire basketball world, from the NBA to international leagues, was in a period of re-establishing connections—with fans, with routines, and with each other. That emotional undercurrent made the 2021 postseason particularly compelling to analyze.
The Western Conference bracket was an absolute gauntlet, and in my view, the path there was far more challenging than in the East. The Utah Jazz, led by Donovan Mitchell's explosive scoring, clinched the top seed with a league-best 52-20 record. I have to admit, I was skeptical about their staying power despite the impressive win count. Their system was regular-season brilliant, but the playoffs are a different beast. Right behind them, the Phoenix Suns, with that legendary Chris Paul and Devin Booker backcourt, finished at 51-21. I personally favored their balanced attack and veteran poise from the start. The battle for positioning was fierce, with the LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and a wounded but dangerous Lakers team all jostling for position. The play-in tournament, in its second year, added a fantastic layer of drama, ultimately seeing LeBron James and the Lakers secure the seventh seed, a scenario that felt both bizarre and thrilling.
Over in the East, the landscape felt more top-heavy. The Philadelphia 76ers, with Joel Embiid playing at an MVP level, grabbed the first seed with a 49-23 record. They were dominant at home, but I always had questions about their half-court execution in tight games. The Brooklyn Nets, as the second seed, were the team everyone was watching with a mix of awe and anxiety. A fully healthy Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving formed the most potent offensive trio I've ever seen on paper. Their 48-24 record didn't even tell the whole story; when they were all on the floor, they were practically unstoppable. The Milwaukee Bucks at number three, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, were the silent hunters, a team built for the physical grind of a seven-game series, and my dark horse pick to come out of the conference.
As the playoffs unfolded, the bracket told a story of resilience and, in some cases, stunning disappointment. The Suns, for instance, navigated their path with a surgical precision that won me over completely. They took down the Lakers, swept the Nuggets, and then outlasted the Clippers in the Conference Finals. Chris Paul’s leadership was, for me, the single most defining factor of their run. It was a masterclass in controlling tempo. In the East, the narrative shifted dramatically when the Nets' dream run was derailed by injuries. That second-round series against the Bucks was an absolute war, going the full seven games and ending in that iconic overtime Game 7. Giannis blocking KD's potential game-winner is an image etched in my memory. The Bucks, having survived that scare, gained a momentum I don't think anyone could stop, as they then dispatched the Hawks and advanced to the Finals.
The 2021 NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks was a classic clash of styles. The Suns jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and I, like many, thought they had it in the bag. Chris Paul was playing like a man possessed. But then Giannis and the Bucks did what great teams do: they adjusted and refused to die. Khris Middleton started hitting impossible shots, Jrue Holiday's defense on CP3 was relentless, and Giannis was just a force of nature. His 50-point closeout performance in Game 6 was one of the most dominant Finals displays I've witnessed. The Bucks winning that series 4-2 was a testament to their physicality and defensive identity, a style I've always had a soft spot for in a league that's so offensively focused.
Looking back, the 2021 playoffs were a testament to the unpredictable nature of basketball. It wasn't necessarily the two best regular-season teams that made the Finals, but the two that were healthiest and hottest at the perfect time. The Bucks' championship, built on defense and Giannis's superhuman efforts, felt like a throwback to a different era. The Suns' run, fueled by the reconnection of Chris Paul with a winning culture, was a beautiful story in its own right. It reminds me that success in this league is as much about timing and chemistry as it is about pure talent. Just like that story of reconnection with Devin in the Philippines, the 2021 season was about teams and players finding their way back to each other and to the pinnacle of the sport, creating a playoff standing that was as memorable as it was unpredictable.