The 2023-24 NBA season is approaching the final weeks. With the playoffs looming large on the horizon, and the current standings present an intriguing sight. In the Western Conference, four out of the top five teams were once mired in the depths of mediocrity, but now they’re fiercely contending amongst themselves to secure coveted spots among the league’s elite.

The Current Campaign 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as frontrunners, surpassing heavyweight contenders such as the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Spearheading their success is Canadian point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s having an exceptional season and displaying MVP-level performances. Not only does he lead the league in steals, but he also ranks third in points per game. The 25-year-old’s scintillating performances have propelled his team to the summit of the Western Conference standings.

The Minnesota Timberwolves trail closely behind. Despite their two-decade drought without a postseason series win, online sports betting markets have pegged them as the sixth-favorite for the Larry O’Brien trophy this term. The acquisition of French center Rudy Gobert appears to have revitalized the struggling franchise, and they seem determined to put an end to years of playoff disappointment.

If they manage to advance to that stage, they’ll be surrounded by the league’s top talents, all performing at their peak under immense pressure. In the last decade, several players have stepped up to deliver unforgettable moments and have set records that will be remembered for years to come. Let’s take a look back at two of the most remarkable postseason performances.

Steph Curry Proves There’s Plenty Left in the Tank

Unlike their dominant past years, the Golden State Warriors were considered underdogs in 2022. They ended up finishing below both the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies in the regular season standings. The former were particularly impressive as they secured 63 wins throughout the campaign season. However, amidst the NoCal outfit’s struggles, Steph Curry took on the mantle of proving that both he and his side had plenty left in the tank. 

He showcased his scoring prowess by leading the team in points on four of the five-game series against the Denver Nuggets in the first round and a further three times against the second-seeded Grizzlies in the conference semifinals. The culmination of his year was marked by his fourth title in a span of seven years, however, unlike in the previous three triumphs, Curry was awarded the Finals MVP award for the first time in his career after a blistering display against the Boston Celtics. 

Dirk Nowitzki’s Final Climbs to the Top of the Mountain 

In the 2011 playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki’s performance resembled that of an artist meticulously crafting his masterpiece. His smooth fadeaways and unstoppable one-legged jump shots mesmerized fans as he expertly guided a seasoned team past a formidable lineup from the West Coast. The pinnacle was the stunning 4-0 sweep of the top-seeded, back-to-back champion Kobe Bryant-powered Lakers in the conference semifinals.

In the conference finals, facing a talented and youthful Oklahoma City Thunder team, the German star delivered an unforgettable performance. Throughout all five games, he emerged as the top scorer. With an astonishing 48 points in game one and an additional 40 points in game four, he left an indelible mark on the series, setting the stage for the Mavericks to achieve a historic milestone, capturing their first-ever Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.