The NBA's Final Four is set, featuring an intriguing matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the West. This year's conference finals showcase a level of parity not often seen in recent years. While the Knicks are the only team among the four to have previously claimed an NBA championship, having last won in the 1972-73 season, the remaining franchises have yet to secure a title.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, several players have the potential to emerge as key X-factors. OG Anunoby, for example, could provide significant two-way play against his former Toronto Raptors teammate, Pascal Siakam. Additionally, Indiana's Aaron Nesmith offers defensive tenacity and versatility, which could be essential in limiting the offensive contributions of Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. Another player to watch is Josh Hart, known for his unpredictable impact on the game. However, the player who may influence the series the most—without necessarily putting up gaudy numbers—is Mitchell Robinson. Despite averaging a modest 4.7 points per game in the second round against the Boston Celtics, Robinson excelled defensively, contributing an average of 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals over approximately 21 minutes per game. His plus-46 rating during his court time highlighted his dominance for the Knicks, in stark contrast to the overall minus-47 rating of New York's five starters.

In this context, the Pacers will face challenges stemming from their lack of rebounding, having ranked last in that category during their series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mitchell Robinson's physical presence will be a significant factor against Myles Turner and the Pacers' frontline. In the Western Conference, Anthony Edwards has quickly established himself as a postseason scoring threat, currently ranking tenth in NBA playoff history with an impressive average of 27.4 points per game. Nevertheless, he faces a daunting task against the Thunder, who boast the top defensive rating in both the regular season and playoffs. Given Oklahoma City's strong defensive capabilities, particularly in isolation situations, it remains to be seen how Edwards adjusts against their formidable defenders, including Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, with Chet Holmgren serving as a standout rim protector behind them.