Without Kawhi Leonard, Paul George admirably chose up the slack, averaging over 41 minutes and 28 points per game in the series.The Bucks, who lost Giannis Antetokounmpo to a knee injury in Game 4, saw Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday step up huge to protect the series over the Atlanta Hawks. The duo averaged 55 points in the Bucks last 2 video games, both wins, protecting the franchises return to the NBA Finals for the very first time because a loss in 7 video games to the Boston Celtics in 1974. As a result, with Hawks star Trae Young restricted by a foot injury, the Bucks won Game 3 going away.Khris Middleton: Conference finals statsGames played6Points per game23.7 Field goal percentage43.83-point percentage27.5 Assists per game6.5 Rebounds per game8.0 Steals per game1.7 Overall, Middletons 38 points in Game 3 connected his effort in Game 6 of the previous round against the Brooklyn Nets for his most points in a playoff video game, and his 6 Threes were his 2nd most in his playoff career.After a poor-shooting Game 4 (16 points on 6-of-17 from the field), Middleton stepped up again after Giannis Antetokounmpo went out of the lineup in the second half of that video game with a left knee injury that would sideline him the rest of the series. Oh, and he did it all while point guard Chris Paul missed the game because of health and safety protocols.Devin Booker: Conference Finals statsGames played6Points per game25.5 Field goal percentage38.23-point percentage28.6 Assists per game4.7 Rebounds per game5.8 Steals per game1.0 Without Paul, Booker took on much of the scoring load down the stretch as he scored or helped on 43 of the Suns final 50 points to help put the game away.It was in Game 2 when Booker broke his nose in three areas after a head-to-head crash with Clippers guard Patrick Beverley. Extremely, regardless of missing out on more than a video game, he still led all players in the East finals in my wins above replacement gamer (WARP) metric ahead of Game 6.

Phoenix SunsChris Pauls 41-point effort in Game 6 assisted punch the Suns ticket to the NBA Finals. Adam Pantozzi/NBAE by means of Getty ImagesA lot of times, you get an idea of a gamers value most when theyre not there. And in this series, without Chris Paul for the opening 2 video games, the Suns actually won both.But dont let that persuade you that Pauls presence wasnt part of those very first 2 wins. From seeing video games on FaceTime with head coach Monty Williams in the evening for extra hunting, to possibly texting his brother CJ changes while he sat courtside in Game 1, to FaceTiming the group seconds after the last buzzer, Paul was an active part of the group. And as Devin Booker and Cameron Payne discussed, Pauls influence over style of play and expectation of looking after the ball remained in their minds.Chris Paul: Conference finals statsGames played4Points per game24.0 Field goal percentage41.73-point percentage37.5 Assists per game8.8 Rebounds per game3.3 Steals per game1.8 When Paul returned, he revealed indications of rust after missing almost two weeks of games and practices in the leagues health and security procedures. He struggled to find his rhythm with his midrange jumper, hitting the front iron on apparently practically every shot, as the Clippers clawed back in the series.It had the prospective to be the ultimate letdown in Pauls career: a 3-1 series lead blown, and versus a team missing its finest player.But on the roadway, in his old boundaries of Staples Center, Paul managed luster in liquidating the Clippers. With 41 points and the kind of ruthless daggering that ultimately broke Patrick Beverleys spirit, Paul led his team to the Finals, finally.– Royce Young2. Khris Middleton