Superstars are the ones who normally decide a playoff series, but what about the players on the team who can swing the momentum of the series based on their impact?
In the case of the playoffs, it's not just the impact they bring but how they match up against an opponent that alters, changes and counters their game plan across the course of a series.
Here's my take on one X-factor from each NBA team heading into the semi-finals who could prove to be the unsung heroes for their team to advance to the next round.
(1) Detroit Pistons v (4) Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit: Ausar Thompson
2026 Playoff Stats- 8.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 SPG, 2.3 BPG
Detroit's best defensive player will be the primary piece in slowing down Cleveland's isolation scorers in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Thompson can definitely provide a similar defence impact to what Scottie Barnes showed against the Cavaliers in the first round and help defend all five players on the court.
Though his offensive game is limited, the Pistons could use a bit more of Thompson's scoring to get an edge, especially against a team where he averages 13.2 points per game in their last five meetings.
Cleveland: Evan Mobley
2026 Playoff Stats- 18.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Much of the series between the two division rivals will be played within the paint, with the former Defensive Player of the Year having a great advantage over the Pistons' undersized frontcourt, all be it Jalen Duren, who is coming off a woeful first round.
This size matchup that the Cavaliers will look to exploit will depend entirely on Mobley's aggressiveness and efficiency, an aspect of his game that when called upon, can make the Cavaliers a tough team to counter defensively.
