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At the start of the 2022 NBA playoffs on Saturday, the whole league got a good look at what the future holds with the likes of Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards, Jordan Poole and Tyrese Maxey all putting up impressive performances.
As ESPN Stats and Info noted, it is the first time in the history of the NBA playoffs that there were more than two 30-point performances in the same day by players aged 22 or younger. Morant exploded for 32 points for the Memphis Grizzlies, while Anthony Edwards responded with 36 points of his own to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to victory.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey top-scored for the Philadelphia 76ers with 38 points in a blowout of the Toronto Raptors, while Jordan Poole banked 30 points as he started in place of Stephen Curry and spearheaded the demolition of the Denver Nuggets.
Entering the weekend, there had never been more than two 30-point playoff performances on the same day by players 22 or younger.
On Saturday, there were FOUR:
Tyrese Maxey (21) – 38 points
Anthony Edwards (20) – 36 points
Ja Morant (22) – 32 points
Jordan Poole (22) – 30 points pic.twitter.com/qvJ9gJYd6C— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 17, 2022
Indeed, the NBA playoffs couldn't wish for a better start than this. The postseason is still long and Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards, Jordan Poole and Tyrese Maxey still have a lot of opportunities to put up big numbers for their respective teams. However, it's definitely a great thing that the youngsters are taking center stage this early.
When LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers missed the postseason, there is no doubt that the playoffs lost some of its allure. After all, James had dominated the league for years. Nonetheless, as it currently stands as the older generation of players enter the twilight of their careers, the young bloods step up to take over.
It will still be a few years before the young ones fully dominate the NBA, but it's definitely starting.
