SlamNation: 04/01/2021

PLAYOFFS

ROUND 1

#1 SWMP vs #8 BUFF (BUFF)
#2 FJUB vs #7 FUNK (FJUB)
#3 CHMK vs #6 SBUK (SBUK)
#4 MELO vs #5 ILCN (MELO)

Despite being favorites to win the 2021 title, top seeded SWMP was taken down in a thrilling Sunday night victory by eighth seed Buffy -- behind Delon Wright's game winning two steals. While it was very close, the victory wasn't exactly a fluke, as BUFF had defeated SWMP back in WK14 as well. Was SWMP just papier-mâché all along? With a disappointing exit from the playoffs, SWMP owner Eddie will have to continue ring hunting next year.

There were almost four upsets in the first round of the playoffs this season, as FJUB and MELO barely outlasted FUNK and ILCN. FJUB had to resort to some free agent block chasing to secure their win while MELO and ILCN actually tied in their round one battle, with the tie-break ultimately going to MELO as they were the higher seed. [ Playoff Tie-Breaker System ]

As for third-seeded CHMK, they were toppled during a Harden-less week by SBUK, who solidly secured their upset in a closer than it looked matchup. Now, with each round being re-seeded, we have BUFF looking to take out another top seed on their way to the title game while MELO and SBUK will face-off for one of them to reach their first ever Finals appearance. [ Postseason Mini-Explainer ]

ROUND 2

#2 FJUB vs #8 BUFF
#4 MELO vs #6 SBUK

TOILET BOWL

ROUND 1

#9 SOUR vs #16 TRUO (TRUO)
#10 SCRM vs #15 SPDE (SCRM)
#11 SQSQ vs #14 ABCX (SQSQ)
#12 KSKT vs #13 FOBS (KSKT)

Over in Toilet Bowl action, we had the top seed there fall as well, as SOUR was felled by TRUO in quite easy fashion, even with Kevin Durant attempting a heroic Sunday night comeback. Conspiracists will point to SOUR's 17/21 GP as the culprit, but maybe it was just karma coming back for the defending 2020 champs, as they've run roughshod over the league for long enough.

The rest of the Toilet Bowl slate played out even, as SCRM, SQSQ, and KSKT handily won their matchups. Now we'll get a highly anticipated father versus son Toilet Bowl showdown between SQSQ and KSKT, for the right to one of the top two picks in the 2022 draft. Note that #10 SCRM could win out but will only get as high as a 2022 RD1.3 due to their top two seeding in the Toilet Bowl. However, with a probable deep 2021-22 NBA draft coming up, this round one Toilet Bowl win was huge for all four teams!

ROUND 2