2018 NBA Playoffs: Top rookie performances through Game 1

The rookies are out in full force in the 2018 NBA Playoffs and they’re delivering masterful performances one game into the postseason.

The 2018 NBA Playoffs kicked off on Saturday and as ratings showed, it was a spectacular weekend of hoops. Ratings were up 17 percent from last season’s playoffs, a testament to the new wave of talent storming the NBA.

The Philadelphia 76ers won their first postseason game since 2012. The Toronto Raptors snapped a 10-game losing streak in Game 1s. The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics had an ending you’d have to see to believe, needing overtime to determine a final outcome. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were knocked off in Game 1, giving James his first loss in the first round since 2012.

The postseason has delivered so far one game in and the rookies have put together some masterful performances in their debuts. The Rookie of the Year race may be over for now, but some first-year players have an NBA title on their minds.

OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors and OG Anunoby snapped a 10-game Game 1 losing streak in the playoffs with their 114-106 opening round victory over the Washington Wizards. Anunoby hasn’t been one of those rookies whose numbers jump off the page at you, but he was stellar in Game 1 for Toronto.

He finished the game with 12 points (eight in the first quarter), two rebounds, an assist and a block in roughly 22 minutes of action. Anunoby turned in an offensive rating of 129.9 and defensive rating of 101.0 with a net rating of +28.9. His final plus/minus of +11 showed fans around the NBA why he’s turned into a starter this season. He started in 62 games during the regular season and started in his postseason game on Saturday afternoon.

Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

Rookie of the Year favorite Ben Simmons had a solid debut in Game 1 for the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished with a double-double of 17 points and14 assists to go with nine rebounds and two steals in the Sixers’ 130-103 victory over the Miami Heat.

He had the first double-double in the postseason by a rookie in his debut since 1986 (Terry Catledge) and it was also Philadelphia’s highest-scoring playoff game since 1986. Simmons looked in command one game into the postseason, finishing a rebound shy of a triple-double. The scary part is Joel Embiid is still out with an injury.

Zach Collins, Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers fell at home in their opening round game against the New Orleans Pelicans 97-95, but they may just need more Zach Collins. The 10th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga had eight points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block in his postseason debut. He played only 23 minutes, but he may need more time after showing what he can do.

Collins wasn’t gun shy at all against the Pelicans, particularly from 3-point range. He went 2-for-4 from behind the arc and was 3-of-8 from the field in Game 1. Even better, Collins generated a defensive rating of 87.4 when he was on the floor. Portland may need to make him part of their game plan in Game 2.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum asserted himself in his playoff debut against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics needed overtime, but they prevailed in the end, 113-107, behind a double-double from Tatum.

Tatum finished Game 1 with 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block, showing that he may have found a new gear.

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/985606156008607744

Boston got all it could handle from Giannis Antetokounmpo but looked prepared, particularly Tatum. He was 8-for-18 (44.4 percent) from the field with a number of highlight dunks and plays at the rim. As the challenges continue to arise, look for Tatum to raise his level of play.

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell had quite the playoff debut, becoming the first player since LeBron James with 25 points and 10 rebounds in his first postseason game. Utah fell 116-108 in the end to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but don’t blame it on Mitchell.

The rook was 11-for-22 from the floor and 3-for-7 from behind the arc for the Jazz offense. He also had three assists, two steals and a block. Mitchell played 35 minutes and could have played more had it not been for a foot injury he suffered in the game that kept him out for most of the fourth quarter.

Next: Power ranking all 16 teams in the 2018 NBA Playoffs

He still had a solid outing, helping Utah outscore Oklahoma City Thunder 50-32 in the paint. Now, they’ll just need to hold Paul George to less than eight 3-pointers in Game 2.