The 2023 NBA playoffs have recently kicked off, with sixteen teams from across the league competing in seven-game series in hopes of making it to the finals and being able to hold up the Larry O’Brien trophy.

After a few days, the first games of each of the series have been completed yet it is not the player’s performances that are making the biggest headlines, but the injuries that have plagued the league.

Stars including Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (hand injury), Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (broken hand), and the biggest of the names, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back) all sustained injuries after game one. Their absences will be a great loss for their teams and city who will need to look to other roles players to step up in their spots.

In a brighter light, the Sacramento Kings have just won their first NBA playoff game since 2006, which was the longest active playoff drought in all of the 4 major sports. They are led by their young core and Kentucky point guards De’Aaron Fox and have recently taken down the 2021-2022 NBA Champions of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

The young talent has taken over the league, but it has not stopped the veterans of the NBA from making their mark. At 38 years old, Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers led his team to a game-one win in Memphis. Kevin Durant has had a nearly flawless run over the last 20+ games with the Pheonix Suns winning almost every game, and Paul George along with Russel Westbrook, who stopped Durant’s run, are still putting up big numbers and clutch defense with the game on the line.