The 2022-23 NBA regular season is officially over, with the Play-in Tournament about to begin and matchups in both conferences nearly set for the first round of the NBA playoffs.
This season has been filled with intriguing storylines to accompany teams exceeding expectations and players taking their game to another level.
With the regular season now in the rearview, Emmanuel Acho of Fox Sports revealed his top five biggest NBA surprises this season, and it’s hard to argue with his list.
.@EmmanuelAcho gives his top 5 biggest NBA surprises this season. pic.twitter.com/UW2sfEsaKN
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) April 11, 2023
Acho chose New York Knicks newcomer Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, the Boston Celtics overcoming the offseason drama surrounding Ime Udoka, the Sacramento Kings ending a 16-year playoff drought and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis staying healthy while playing at an MVP level.
Brunson went from Luka Doncic’s sidekick in Dallas to the next Knicks star while sharing the spotlight in the Big Apple with Julius Randle.
Bridges, arguably the most durable star in the NBA, helped lead the Nets to the playoffs after the Durant-Irving meltdown.
Tatum and company put the Udoka distraction aside and led the Celtics back to glory as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Kings ended the longest playoff drought in the NBA, with Sacramento clinching the third seed in the Western Conference.
Despite battling some injury issues again, Davis played out of his mind in two different parts of the season and helped guide a dysfunctional Lakers squad to the Play-in.
All these surprises made some noise this season, and will look to continue proving doubters wrong in the playoffs.
NEXT: Zion Williamson Speaks Out On Injury Absence