Fansided

5 breakout stars from the first round of the NBA Playoffs

By Terence Scott

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell /
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Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz and Ricky Rubio #3 react to Rubio’s basket at the end of the third quarter during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 115-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

5. Joe Ingles, SG, Utah Jazz

The man, the myth, the legend.

The story goes that Joe Ingles once took a 3-point shot in the face of Oklahoma City’s Paul George and the ball went through the net and he stared at him so hard he burned a hole through him. All jokes aside, Joe Ingles made a name for himself in this series as a madman on the floor in the opening round series against a talent but dysfunctional Oklahoma City Thunder team.

Ingles was a key factor in the Jazz pulling off the upset in six games. He finished the series averaging 14.2, 3.2 assists and 3.5 made 3s per game.

The numbers may not jump off the stat sheet but Ingles’ defensive pressure on Paul George was beyond impressive. And making 21 3-pointers in six games is nothing to sneeze at either

Ingles made timely shots and created well when asked to by the Jazz, combining that with trash talk and swagger. Joe Ingles caught the attention of many casual fans and it is well deserved.

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