The NBA's playoffs of the season have officially begun, with four games scheduled today as the first game day, and in those games, four under-22 stars have scored at least 30 points: 76ers Maxi, Timberwolves Edwards, Grizzlies Morant and Warriors Poole. This is the first time in NBA history that only two under-22 players have scored 30+ on the same day.
21-year-old Maxi 38 points: In the game against the Raptors, Maxi became the third big man of the team, and in the case of Embiid and Harden encountering key defenses, Maxi scored a game-high 38 points on 14-of-21 shooting, plus 4 rebounds and 2 assists. With Maxy's contract only $2.6 million this season and only expiring two years later, it's no wonder the 76ers are willing to trade Maxie anyway, and Maxie's next contract will be at least a top salary of $30 million a year.
20-year-old Edwards 36 points: In today's game against the Grizzlies, Edwards became the team's first attacker, hitting 12 goals in 23 shots, scoring a game-high 36 points, in addition to 6-of-2 rebounds and 2 blocks, becoming the fourth youngest player in NBA history to score 30+ in the playoffs. Edwards will be eligible to renew his contract with the Timberwolves early tomorrow summer and will no doubt get a top-salary contract.
22-year-old Morant 32 points: In the game against the Timberwolves, Morant continued his all-Star guard performance, although the feel was not good on 8-of-18 shooting, but through the breakthrough to get 20 free throw opportunities, and finally got 32 points , 8 assists + 4 rebounds. This summer, he will be eligible to sign a five-year, $210 million cap with the Grizzlies.
22-year-old Poole 30 points: The Warriors can beat the Nuggets at home, and the player with the highest score on the team is not the Splash Brothers, but Poole, who has 30 points and 3 assists on 9-of-13 shooting, and the scoring efficiency is very scary, which also gives Kerr the confidence to place Curry on the bench. This summer, he is expected to sign a four-year, 100 million-dollar contract extension with the Warriors.
With so many young players showing off their talent on the first day of the playoffs, one can't help but look forward to the new forces of this era!