NBA Playoffs X-Factors: Stars Who Could Become Playoff Heroes

(Photo : Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Russell Westbrook (#0) of the LA Clippers drives to the basket after drawing a foul against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on February 05, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

With the NBA Playoffs tipping off on Saturday, many teams throughout the league will compete for a chance to win an NBA Championship.

Each of the seeded teams do hold a player who can help turn any series in their favor.

Here are some X-Factors for each Eastern and Western Conference team in the NBA playoffs from the first to the seventh seed.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Eastern Conference

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Boston Celtics Kristaps Porzingis | Power Forward

For the Boston Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis has been a difference-maker this season.

The Latvian big man, who has been relatively healthy this season, is coming off a strong year averaging 20.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

He has provided the Celtics with size up front, protecting the rim and rebounding while stretching the floor by taking shots.

Porzingis should continue to be a dual-threat forward for the Celtics, and remain a reliable third option scorer for Boston when Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown aren't performing well.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: New York Knicks Josh Hart | Small Forward

The New York Knicks have managed to lock up the second seed in a really good NBA Eastern Conference this season. New York accomplished this behind quite a bit of grit and toughness, and Josh Hart has been at the forefront of this.

Josh Hart has come up big on offense, being one of the better scorers on the floor for the Knicks. Hart is also a massive contributor in defense and rebounding, crashing the boards and clogging the lanes.

His relationship with Jalen Brunson, on and off the court, has paid dividends for the Knicks; and as it looks without Julius Randle, Josh Hart could be a major offensive contributor for New York in the NBA Playoffs.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Milwaukee Bucks Khris Middleton | Small Forward

Lost in the drama of the Milwaukee Bucks' 2023-24 season was Khris Middleton, who quietly put together a solid year.

When healthy, the 12-year vet shined as a secondary option behind the Bucks' two-headed monster of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Finding his spot in the rotation and occasionally showing flashes of what made him a two time All-Star; Middleton was a key component for the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship run and could still be counted on despite being a few seasons older.

Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be out for 2-4 weeks due to a calf injury, Khris Middleton will be forced to step up offensively for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Indiana Pacers.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley | Power Forward/Center

It's no secret that the 22-year-old big man Evan Mobley has shown flashes of greatness throughout his young career, but still has yet to put it all together truly.

This season's playoffs seem like an excellent opportunity for him to assert himself as a cornerstone of the Cleveland Cavaliers' future.

The Cavaliers have shown to be better in the lineup with him rather than without him; as he has shown the ability to guard the paint well, while being a post and lob pick-n-roll presence for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.

Evan Mobley could be the piece the Cavs need in the NBA Playoffs. Especially that winning in the postseason is more significant than ever for Cleveland with Donovan Mitchell's potential free-agency status looming over the franchise's head.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs | Point Guard

This season, the Orlando Magic have built their identity on the defensive side of the floor, and Jalen Suggs is a significant reason why.

The Magic's third-year guard has been a pest on defense, with the third-best defensive field goal percentage in close games at 23.1%. Jalen Suggs has helped the Magic become a top defensive team in the league by forcing turnovers, getting steals, and locking down opposing guards.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers coming up with their elite backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, two of the best-scoring guards in the league; Jalen Suggs will be a major factor in their series depending on if he could contain them.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Indiana Pacers Pascal Siakam | Power Forward

The trade for Pascal Siakam that sent the All-Star power forward from Toronto to Indiana has been a significant upgrade for the Pacers this season.

Since being traded to Naptown, Siakam has been excellent, fitting into a run-and-gun Pacers team led by Tyrese Haliburton.

Pascal Siakam will be heading into a series against Milwaukee, as he could be the difference-maker being that the Bucks could be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the series.

Coming into the NBA Playoffs, Siakam is a major X-Factor, having won an NBA Championship in 2019 and having the most postseason experience over anyone on this young Pacers team.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Philadelphia 76ers Tyrese Maxey | Point Guard

So far, 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey has had one of his best seasons in his young career.

Maxey initially elevated the level of his play when Joel Embiid was out due to injury. And since then Tyrese Maxey has only shown signs of improvement, becoming an even better playmaker and scorer.

If Maxey could continue his great play into the postseason, taking some of the offensive load off Embiid's shoulders, then there are reasons to believe the Philadelphia 76ers could win it all behind the two stars.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Western Conference

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Oklahoma City Thunder Jalen Williams | Power Forward

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the No.1 seed out West behind an MVP-caliber season behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Rookie of the Year worthy season from Chet Holmgren.

However, Jalen Williams has been one of the many surprises for the Oklahoma City team, who won 57 games this season.

The dynamic forward has been big in scoring the basketball, averaging 19.1 points per game. Williams took some of the offensive load off of Gilgeous-Alexander and stepped up as a solid third option for the young Thunder.

If Jalen Williams manages to keep it going in the postseason, then there are reasons to believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder could go all the way.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray | Guard

The Denver Nuggets will look to defend their NBA title this year, entering the postseason as the odds on favorite to win it all again.

A big reason for the Nuggets being favorites is because of the play from Jamal Murray.

The 2023 NBA Playoffs served as a reminder of what Jamal Murray is and how good he is, as he torched the Timberwolves, Suns, and Lakers on the way to the NBA Finals last year.

Murray has been a strong source of offense for the Nuggets that has kept them formidable this season along with Nikola Jokic, who is leading the pack in the NBA MVP race.

If Jamal Murray could repeat what he did last season, then it is safe to assume the Denver Nuggets could go back-to-back.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Minnesota Timberwolves Naz Reid | Forward

In a season full of surprises, one of them being the Minnesota Timberwolves and another one being Naz Reid.

The Timberwolves finished the year strong, winning a total of 55 games this season. They spent the year hanging around the top of the Western Conference and Naz Reid has been part of the reason.

Reid became a breakout star the Timberwolves needed, rising as a candidate to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

He helped the team stay a force on defense in the front court, stepping up in games where Karl Anthony-Towns was out.

Naz Reid could potentially swing a series for the T-Wolves with the right amount of minutes and depending on their matchup.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Los Angeles Clippers Russell Westbrook | Point Guard

The Los Angeles Clippers roller coaster of a season could possibly end with the franchise winning their very first NBA Championship.

They survived a mid-season slump after trading for James Harden, now finished top four in the West.

Going into the NBA Playoffs, one player who could make a big difference for them is Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook has shown that he still has a lot left in the tank and is one of the better bench players in the league. Russell Westbrook could be good for one or two big games in the postseason.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Dallas Mavericks Daniel Gafford | Center

The Dallas Mavericks' dynamic backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic will look to lead the Mavs to their first championship since the 2011 season, where Dirk Nowitzki carried them to the promised land.

The Mavericks managed to climb out of the NBA Play-In with a strong month of April. The Daniel Gafford acquisition was a reason for their second half season boom.

Since being traded from the Wizards to the Mavs, Gafford has instantly given Dallas the boost on defense that they needed.

If Daniel Gafford's infectious impact can carry over into the postseason, then it's easy to imagine a world where the Mavericks are champions yet again.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Phoenix Suns Grayson Allen | Small Forward

In a Western Conference that is more guard-oriented than ever, Grayson Allen could be the key to the Phoenix Suns' success in the NBA Playoffs.

Allen, who recently re-signed a four-year deal with the Suns, has grown a reputation around the league as one of the better defensive hustle players who could also knock down a shot, spacing the floor.

Grayson Allen plays well off the Suns three headed monster in Booker-Beal-Durant, being another shooting option. He could also help take some defensive load off the three in any series.

Allen's defense alone could help the Suns swing a series against guard-heavy teams like the Thunder and Mavericks.

NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Los Angeles Lakers D'Angelo Russell | Point Guard

The Los Angeles Lakers regular season was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and the drama of the NBA Play-In Tournament.

The Lakers managed to turn things around, finishing 46-36 behind another banner year from Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

One player who managed to carve out a big role and be a pivotal part in their second-half of the season success was D'Angelo Russell.

Russell increased his scoring numbers progressively and became a third option behind James and Davis, while also improving his defense.

If D'Angelo Russell continues his high-end play, the Los Angeles Lakers could likely make another deep postseason run.