2022 NBA Playoffs

Date Finished
 Season
 Champions

The **2022 NBA Playoffs** was the postseason tournament following the conclusion of the 2021-2022 NBA Regular Season.

## Overview

The 2022 NBA Playoffs were viewed as one of the most even postseasons in recent history.

In the East, the 1st-seated New York Niners finished with their best record since 1998-1999, with stars Damien Strawberry and Kajen Copperfield playing at an extremely high level throughout the year. The 2nd-seated Chicago Hammerheads had an incredible bounce-back season. The Miami Sharks finished with a league-best defense for the second season in a row and held the 3rd-seat. After winning a championship last season, the Pittsburgh 09ers, led by superstar Christian Davis, fell to the 4th-seat in the East, somewhat due to minor injuries to Davis throughout the season. The 5th-seated Michigan Bulldogs finished with a 45-37 record during a season where their star Brian Akande missed a portion of the season due to injury. The 6th-seated Ohio Springboks were led by the heroics of Nicolas Uzonz after an amazing season. The 7th-seated Philadelphia Miners were led by 2nd-year player John Burke and were looking to make a rattle in the first round. Finally, the 8th-seated Atlanta Meteors finished the season on a 14-4 run to steal the 8th seat.

In the west, the 1st-seated Portland Springs were led by the MVP-level play of Mitchell Jackson, bringing himself and the team to an elite level, alongside All-Star Nicola Brandt. The 2nd-seated San Francisco Dodgers faced great adversity, with the elite George West being out for a majority of the season due to injury. Despite this, superstar Steve Gasse carried the offensive load and, with incredible defense from Eric Blackston, the Dodgers finished as the 2nd seat, declared an amazing feat by many analysts. The Seattle Scorpions, led by Jean Ross, finished as the 3rd seat, with their third straight 50-win season, a franchise record. The Denver Dragons, led by elite guard Markelle Fields, finished as the 4th seat after improvements from multiple players on the team. The 5th-seated Los Angeles Lightning finished the season with their best spot since being rebranded as the 'Lightning' in 1998-1999. The 6th-seated Houston Hornets, led by center Harlow D'Angelo, finished with their worst record and spot since the 2005-2006 season. The New Mexico Pirates finished the season as the 7th seat, led by Sakam Blake, who averaged a league-leading 37.1 PPG, the most since Jackson Carter's 38.6 PPG in the 1993-1994 season. Lastly, the 8th-seated Nevada Mavericks had a stellar season, with a win turnaround of 28 wins, the most in franchise history.

## Bracket

\* Division winner

**Bold** Series winner

*Italic* Team with home-court advantage

## Games

### 1st Round

#### Eastern Conference

##### (1) New York Niners vs (8) Atlanta Meteors

 **Pts:** Damien Strawberry 26**Rebs:** Kajen Copperfield 14**Asts:** Damien Strawberry 8

 **Pts:** Damien Strawberry 40**Rebs:** Kajen Copperfield 10**Asts:** Cole Harrington-Knight 7

##### (2) Chicago Hammerheads vs (7) Philadelphia Miners

 **Pts:** Urijah Marshall 25**Rebs:** Goran Stefanovic 16**Asts:** Derrick Lance 11

##### (3) Miami Sharks vs (6) Ohio Springboks

 **Pts:** Jackson Jennings Jr 24**Rebs:** Isaac Jensen 11**Asts:** Tyrese Jackson 9

##### (4) Pittsburgh 09ers vs (5) Michigan Bulldogs

 **Pts:** Christian Davis 32**Rebs:** Christian Davis 12**Asts:** Christian Davis 18

 **Pts:** Christian Davis 46**Rebs:** Luez Cole 15**Asts:** Montay Hill 12

#### Western Conference

##### (1) Portland Springs vs (8) Nevada Mavericks

 **Pts:** Mitchell Jackson 55**Rebs:** Nicola Brandt 8**Asts:** Jahlil Anderson 12

##### (2) San Francisco Dodgers vs (7) New Mexico Pirates

 **Pts:** Steve Gasse 35**Rebs:** DeAnthony Rose 10**Asts:** George West 12

##### (3) Seattle Scorpions vs (6) Houston Hornets

 **Pts:** Jean Ross 36**Rebs:** Semi Kapuka, Jean Ross 10**Asts:** Dwight House, Jordan Wright 8

 **Pts:** Jordan Wright 29**Rebs:** Semi Kapuka 9**Asts:** Jean Ross 7

##### (4) Denver Dragons vs (5) Los Angeles Lightning

 **Pts:** Christian Davis 32**Rebs:** Christian Davis 12**Asts:** Christian Davis 18

### Finals

##### (E3) Miami Sharks vs (W1) Portland Springs

 **Pts:** Mitchell Jackson 36**Rebs:** Juan Kosaro 11**Asts:** Tyreek Rice 10

 **Pts:** Jackson Jennings Jr 46**Rebs:** Isaac Jensen 13**Asts:** Reece Marquez 14

 **Pts:** Jackson Jennings Jr 41**Rebs:** Norman Cruz, Isaac Jensen 11**Asts:** Tyrese Jackson 7

 **Pts:** Mitchell Jackson 33**Rebs:** Jason Matthews 14**Asts:** Tyreek Rice 11

 **Pts:** Mitchell Jackson 65**Rebs:** Nicola Brandt 19**Asts:** Tyreek Rice 12