NBA playoffs 2021: Matchups, schedules and news for the conference finals
The 2021 NBA playoffs continue and we're guaranteed of having a new champion after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round.
Half of the NBA Finals matchup is set, as thePhoenix Suns, who have never won a championship and last played in the Finals in 1993, eliminated theLA Clippersin six games in the Western Conference finals.
In the Eastern Conference finals, the upstartAtlanta Hawks, who last won a title in 1958 when they called St. Louis home, are facing theMilwaukee Bucks, who are trying to end a 50-year title drought of their own.
Keep it here for all the matchups, schedules, news and analysis all the way through the crowning of an NBA champion.
2021 NBA playoffs: Conference semis | First round
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Milwaukee Bucks (3) lead Atlanta Hawks (5), 3-2
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6: Saturday, July 3
Bucks at Hawks, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 7: Monday, July 5*
Hawks at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
*If necessary
- Young:The Bucks are one win away from the finals, all thanks to Giannis' supporting cast
- Hawks mauled inside, seeking answers after Game 5 loss
- Experts:Five big takeaways from Game 4 of Bucks-Hawks
- Goldsberry:Trae Young's floater/lob combo is carrying the Hawks
- Bucks marvel at Middleton's huge fourth: 'Greatness'
- 'Take us home, Khris': The Bucks have a dimension the Hawks can't reach
- Expert takeaways on the Bucks' blowout win in Game 2
- MacMullan:The bond that transformed the Hawks
- Arnovitz: Trae and the Hawks did it again in Game 1 -- this time with a shimmy
- NBA world reacts on Twitter to 'unbothered' Trae Young
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Phoenix Suns (2) def.LA Clippers (4), 4-2
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6
- Windhorst: Whether destiny or redemption, the Suns' story is improbable and unique
- Suns finish off Clippers behind Chris Paul's 41
- Marks: Kawhi Leonard holds the Clippers' future in his hands
- Williams: Suns can't play with 'show-up mentality'
- Shelburne: George, Clippers again at their best when they needed it most
- Shelburne:Reggie Jackson feels like he has a place in the NBA
- Arnovitz:How 'old souls' and margin mastery have the Suns one win away from the NBA Finals
- Pelton:The factors fueling these wild Clippers comebacks
- Young:'Win or go home': Paul George is doing everything to keep the Clippers alive
- Booker: Nose, mask not problem in Suns' loss
