As the NBA Playoffs drag on, some of the first-round matchups are starting to get very interesting. While some series are over, some of them are going to come down to the wire.
Teams like the Boston Celtics made quick work of their opponents and other teams look prepped to do the same. But then there are series like the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz that look like they could go the distance.
3 landing spots for Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason
Let’s focus on that last series for a second, as the Mavs have managed to go up 3-2 on the Jazz. But that’s not the most impressive part about it. What’s most impressive is that the Mavericks were without Luka Doncic for the first three games.
Doncic returned for Games 4 and 5, but with how well the Mavs were playing beforehand, it wasn’t even completely needed. And that’s largely thanks to the play of point guard Jalen Brunson.
Through the first three games of the series, Brunson was averaging 32.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from behind the three-point line. And even with Doncic back, Brunson has put up big-time numbers in both games.
With Brunson set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, teams will likely be willing to pay a ton of money for his services. The only question left to be answered is where which team will the soon-to-be 26-year-old end up playing for next season?