Mateo’s Hoop Diary: First round notes of the West playoffs

Pity those who are missing the action because the playoffs have been terrific, as usual. And respect to those who are sacrificing sleep to not miss a moment.

The playoffs reveal who teams really are, and for many fans, it’s a gratifying or humbling experience.

Let’s review what has stood out on the West side.

Thunder v. Suns

Oklahoma City has enough horsepower to get by the Phoenix Suns, but they’ll sweat a bit more in the upcoming games now that Jalen Williams is out with a left hamstring injury. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will take on more playmaking duties, but they’ll need to find some relief ball-handling in Alex Caruso or Ajax Mitchell by the time next round starts.

The Thunder have averaged 24 more points per game than Phoenix through the first two outings.

The Spurs’ depth is being tested without Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama crash-landed through the lane with his face absorbing the worst of the contact in the Spurs’ Game 2 loss at home to the Portland Trail Blazers. Aside from it being a surprise the fall didn’t knock him out, he somehow kept his teeth. He was concussed and his status going forward is unclear.

The game developed into a track meet, and the Spurs dropped a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter because of an inability to cover the 3-point line. Without Wemby, the Trail Blazers have no fear of going into the lane for the bucket or kick-out pass. Luke Kornet and rookie Carter Bryant will have to survive big minutes as the big men when they are less potent than whoever Portland deploys.

And Wemby’s absence creates a need for more scoring. De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle will be expected to carry most of the load.

Keep in mind that former Spur, Tiago Splitter, is the coach on the other side. And Scoot Henderson, the third pick in the 2023 draft is turning into the player many expected him to be. He averaged 14.2 points on 41.8 percent shooting in 30 regular-season games and those numbers have jumped to 24.5 points per game on 64.3 percent accuracy as the series is tied at 1-1. Of course, maintaining that level is not possible, but no player has raised their stock more than him so far in the early action.

Nuggets are in danger against the Timberwolves

Calf and hamstring injuries have plagued Aaron Gordon over the last two years, and the former is bothering him again, which caused him to miss Game 3 in Minnesota. The team was soft on the inside without him because they got ravaged by drive-bys. It doesn’t help them that the Wolves can target Nikola Jokić when they want through screen rolls, either.

The Nuggets started Spencer Jones in Gordon’s place, but he lacks the two-way punch. Meanwhile, the team isn’t getting enough from Christian Braun and Cam Johnson, placing more weight on Jamal Murray and Jokić’s shoulders.

The Timberwolves’ defense reaches a higher level, and when their ball movement is working like it has over the last two games, they are the superior team.

Lakers v. Rockets

For those who enjoy fine wine, this is the series for them because LeBron James is averaging nearly a triple-double, in his 23rd season, as the Los Angeles Lakers have taken a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets. Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (strained oblique), the team’s first and third best players, haven’t played since April 2. Reaves is questionable to return for Game 3 in Houston on Friday.

One wonders how potent the Lakers can be if they manage to get Dončić, Reaves and James all together for this postseason.

Kevin Durant missed the series opener for the Rockets with a knee injury, and is questionable for Game 3 with an ankle sprain.