NBA playoffs 2022 - Under-the-radar X factors for all 16 teams

If NBA fans outside of Pennsylvania didn't know the name Tyrese Maxey, they sure do now.

While the Toronto Raptors were keying in on superstars Joel Embiid and James Harden, the Philadelphia 76ers' second-year guard was showcasing why he is such an important player in their success with 38 points in a Game 1 win.

If the 76ers were to make a deep playoff run, «The Maxey Game» would be the performance that sparked it all.

That got us thinking: What other X factors are hiding in the first round of the playoffs? Which under-the-radar players could swing a game — or even a series — by themselves?

Our NBA experts are breaking down one player from all 16 playoff teams who could get hot from long range, provide a defensive spark or come out of nowhere to lead his team to a victory.

MORE: Takeaways from Day 2 of the playoffs | Intel on all 16 teams

Johnson just had the finest season of his young career, putting up personal bests across the board. He became one of the top Sixth Man of the Year contenders by averaging 12.5 points in just 26.2 minutes per game while shooting a sizzling 42.5% from 3.

Case in point: March 4 vs. Knicks

In a game without Chris Paul and Devin Booker, Johnson poured in a career-high 38 points in 28 minutes off the bench, including 9-of-12 from deep and the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Johnson also hit at least two 3s in 12 of the 21 playoff games he appeared in last year, offering a glimpse of what he can do on the brightest stage. His worst game out of the Suns' entire run, however, might have been in the Bucks' NBA Finals-clinching win in Game 6, when Johnson scored just three points on 1-for-5 shooting, surely giving him motivation for a bounce-back this postseason.

— Dave McMenamin

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