With the NBA regular season concluding in the coming days, teams across the NBA will be making their final playoff pushes. Here’s a look at a few former Longhorns who have helped their teams into playoff position and will be moving on to the postseason.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Aldridge has continued to be a force for the San Antonio Spurs during the last half of the regular season. In his last 10 contests, the Spurs’ reliant big man has been more productive than his normal clip, averaging 18.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
Aldridge’s Spurs are sitting comfortably in the second seed of the Western Conference and look destined for a playoff matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies or Oklahoma City Thunder.
Avery Bradley
The six year NBA veteran is having the best year of his career with the Boston Celtics. This season, Bradley currently averages 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
While Bradley missed time due to a stomach ailment, he returned Wednesday night in a showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers where he recorded four points, one assist and seven rebounds. The Celtics now trail the Cavaliers by one game in the Eastern Conference standings.
Cory Joseph
Averaging the most points of his career, Joseph has found a home with the Toronto Raptors after spending the first four years of his career with the Spurs. He is averaging over 9 points and three assists per game off the bench this season.
Joseph’s Raptors are tied for third place in the Eastern Conference standings with the Washington Wizards.
Tristan Thompson
Although seeing a dip in his statistical productivity, Thompson continues to provide much-needed consistency to the Cavaliers’ lineup. In fact, last night marked the first time Thompson had missed a game in 447 contests.
The NBA’s iron man is averaging 8.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, helping the Cavs to take a lead in the Eastern Conference Standings.
Isaiah Taylor
After spending most of his 2016-17 season in the NBA Developmental League, Taylor finally appeared in his first NBA game on Sunday with the Houston Rockets. In his first NBA contest, Taylor played 15 minutes and finished with three points and a rebound.
The Rockets, the third seed in the Western Conference, will likely keep Taylor on for the postseason.
Kevin Durant
The second half of the season has been quiet for the Warriors’ star who has missed a month of action after suffering a knee injury against the Washington Wizards on February 28th.
However, Durant’s rehab appears to be nearly complete, and he’s expected to make his return to the hardwood on Saturday in a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
