On April 20, the NBA playoffs started, launching a contest fueled by rivalry, grit, and prestige. Only four days into the race, there have already been several key developments, from surprises to upsets. So, what’s so special about this year’s playoffs, and how will they end? Let’s dig in.

As always, the leading six teams from the regular season advanced to the playoffs, with the following four teams battling it out in the annual “play-in” tournament to determine which two will move on. Chicago’s own Bulls made the competition but were eliminated by the Heat.

The playoffs themselves, however, have been as special as always this year. Starting off with the Western Conference, the Lakers were eliminated in a 4-1 series against the Denver Nuggets. This marks a very notable change in the career of none other than Lebron James, considered by many to be the face of the NBA and arguably the best basketball player of all time.

“If I’m being honest, I’m happy. I don’t really like him [James] personally,” varsity basketball player Rayne Punzal said. “Overall, the Celtics are not winning, and Anthony Edwards is going to win Finals MVP.”

Otherwise, both the Pelicans and the Suns were swept in a 4-0 series against the Thunder and Timberwolves, respectively. In the last competitive seed in the conference, the Clippers and the Mavericks are set to face off tonight at 8:30 pm on ESPN. It will be an important game in the playoffs, with each of the fourth and fifth places looking to break out and move on to the second round.

In the Eastern Conference, a much more competitive brawl is almost on to the second round. The Celtics, a team packed with superstars and the favorite to win the championship, swept the Heat in a 4-1 series. In close contests, the sixth-place ranked Pacers defeated the third-place Bucks 4-2, while the Knicks won against the 76ers, 4-2. The last two left are the Cavaliers and the Magic, set to play in a likely close game tonight at 6 pm on ESPN.