When the 2021-22 season began in October, it kicked off the first normal NBA schedule since the COVID-19 pandemic paused the league in March 2020. The 2021 playoffs were played in NBA arenas again after the 2020 postseason was held in the NBA's Orlando, Florida, bubble.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who took the Eastern Conference, climbed out of an 0-2 hole to come back to beat the Phoenix Suns and win the title for the first time since 1971.
Kevin Durant returned from an Achilles injury to lead the Brooklyn Nets one shot shy of those NBA Finals.