Western Conference Playoff First Round Series Previews: Top Fantasy Players, Trends, Injuries and More

Discussing the Western Conference matchups for the first round of the playoffs.

The NBA Play-In Tournament is wrapped up, and it’s time for the real NBA postseason to start up. 

Here, we’ll break down the four first-round matchups in the Western Conference, going over the season series, top players and some injuries. Check out the Eastern Conference preview here.

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Timberwolves vs. Suns Preview

No. 3 Minnesota and No. 6 Phoenix will play the first Western Conference playoff game on Saturday, and it is a pretty fun matchup on paper. Phoenix won all three regular season meetings, winning by at least 10 each game. Both teams are just about full strength going into the series.

Phoenix’s Bradley Beal played twice against Minnesota this season, averaging 25 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1 steal. Kevin Durant averaged 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1 steal, while Devin Booker had 22.3 points, 8.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Grayson Allen averaged 19 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists and steals and was the last Suns’ player to average double-digit points against the Wolves.

Eric Gordon averaged 9.5 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound and steal in two contests. Jusuf Nurkic had 6.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6 assists and 2.7 steals. 

Royce O'Neale, Drew Eubanks and Bol Bol were playing most games down the stretch for Phoenix and should help fill out the team’s rotation.

Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 17.5 points per game against Phoenix, while also averaging 6.5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Anthony Edwards averaged 14.3 points, 6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals, while Mike Conley had 12 points, 2.7 assists and 2 rebounds. Naz Reid averaged 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1 assist. 

Rudy Gobert finished with averages of 9.7 points, 7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1 steal. Jaden McDaniels averaged 8.3 points, 1.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, while Kyle Anderson was at 5.3 points, 3.3 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 1 steal.

Jordan McLaughlin and Monte Morris played down the stretch and could factor into the team’s playoff rotation as well.

Others might play a role during the series. Check back to FantasySP during the postseason, as we’ll assess things often to help you get the best fantasy options into your lineups.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Preview

No. 2 Denver and No. 7 Los Angeles meet in maybe the most-anticipated matchup of the first round. The Nuggets won all three regular season matchups, but the finals were all within 12 points.

Nikola Jokic led Denver against Los Angeles with 29.3 points per game, while also averaging 12 rebounds, 9 assists and 1.7 blocks. He’s still the best fantasy player in the game for the postseason.

Jamal Murray averaged 24.7 points, 9.3 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal, while Michael Porter Jr. had 21.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal, making them both good fantasy options as well.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope only played once against LA, going for 20 points, three steals, two rebounds and one assist and block. Aaron Gordon played three games, averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals.

Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson, Peyton Watson and Justin Holiday should also be part of the team’s rotation, but none of them really had any standout numbers against LA this season.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Lakers against the Nuggets. James averaged 24 points, 7 rebounds and assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Davis was at 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3 assists and blocks and 1 steal.

Austin Reaves averaged 16 points, 9.3 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals, while D'Angelo Russell had 14 points, 5 assists and 3.5 boards across two games. Taurean Prince finished with averages of 11 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1 assist, while Rui Hachimura totaled 10.3 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Jaxson Hayes, Spencer Dinwiddie, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt (who is out game one) are also options to crack the postseason rotation.

Clippers vs. Mavericks Preview

No. 4 Los Angeles will battle No. 5 Dallas, with game one on Sunday. Los Angeles won two of the three regular season games - only one of the contests finished within 10 points.

Kawhi Leonard averaged 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block to lead Los Angeles against Dallas, but he’s questionable for game one.

Paul George averaged 16.5 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists against Dallas, while James Harden was at 13 points, 7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1 steal. Russell Westbrook tallied 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.7 steals, with Norman Powell adding 12 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist per game.

Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann each averaged 11.7 points. Zubac also had 10.3 rebounds a game, while Mann tallied 4.3 boards and 1.7 assists. Bones Hyland played two games, averaging 10 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds.

The Clippers played a lot of guys down the stretch, including Amir Coffey, Mason Plumlee, P.J. Tucker and Daniel Theis, and with Leonard maybe out, they could all crack the rotation.

Dallas’ Luka Doncic averaged 34 points, 6.7 assists, 6 rebounds and 1.3 steals in three games against Los Angeles this season. Kyrie Irving was good across two games, averaging 26.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals.

Tim Hardaway Jr. averaged 16.7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, but saw his usage/role decrease as the season rolled along. Derrick Jones Jr. averaged 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.7 steals, while Jaden Hardy was at 10 points and 2.7 rebounds

Daniel Gafford joined Dallas after the team's three meetings, and will be involved a lot in the postseason. Dante Exum, P.J. Washington and Maxi Kleber should also be part of the team’s rotation this postseason.

Thunder vs. Pelicans Preview

No. 1 Oklahoma City gets No. 8 New Orleans and will open the series Sunday night. OKC took two of the three regular season games - with two tight finishes in there - but likely will not have to face Zion Williamson much in the series, so the Thunder should be the heavy favorites.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC against New Orleans this season, averaging 25 points, 7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

Jalen Williams averaged 19.3 points, 5 assists and 4.7 rebounds, while Chet Holmgren was at 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2 blocks per game.

Josh Giddey provided 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists across three games. Aaron Wiggins added 9 points, 3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in two games. 

Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams and Luguentz Dort didn’t have great stats against New Orleans, but should serve decent to big rotation roles in the playoffs. 

Williamson played twice against OKC this season, averaging 24.5 points, 9 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. With him out, CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Ingram will have to lead the way.

McCollum averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in three games against OKC. Valanciunas had 13 points, 8 boards and 1 assist, while Ingram posted 12 points, nine assists and four rebounds in one game against the Thunder this season.

Herbert Jones added 11.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block, while Trey Murphy III had 11 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. 

Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and Naji Marshall are all options to fill out the rotation.

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