Several former Michigan Wolverines are fighting for playoff spots in the NBA this season. We have where each team stands and more in this week’s edition of Pro Blue:
The NBA playoffs will be here before you know it, as each team has roughly 10 games remaining in the regular season. Several former Michigan Wolverines are in the thick of the playoff hunt, while others have long been eliminated.
Interestingly enough, every single former Wolverine active in the NBA is in the Eastern Conference. As of Tuesday afternoon, here’s what the standings look like along with Michigan’s representation on each team:
- Cleveland Cavaliers : 57-14
- Boston Celtics : 53-19, 4.5 games back
- New York Knicks : 44-26, 12.5 GB
- Indiana Pacers: 42-29, 15 GB
- Milwaukee Bucks : 40-31, 17 GB
- Detroit Pistons : 40-32, 17.5 GB, Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Atlanta Hawks : 35-36, 22 GB, Kobe Bufkin, Caris LeVert
- Orlando Magic: 34-38, 23.5 GB, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, Jett Howard, Caleb Houstan
- Chicago Bulls: 32-40, 25.5 GB
- Miami Heat: 30-41, 27 GB, Duncan Robinson
- Toronto Raptors : 25-47, 32.5 GB
- Brooklyn Nets : 23-49, 34.5 GB
- Philadelphia 76ers : 23-49, 34.5 GB
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Charlotte Hornets: 18-53, 39 GB,Moussa Diabate -
Washington Wizards: 15-56, 42 GB,Jordan Poole
As a reminder, the top six teams automatically qualify for the playoffs, while teams 7-10 take part in the play-in tournament.
As of now, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s Detroit Pistons are in by far the best position, while up to seven former Wolverines could be competing in the play-in tournament (despite Bufkin and Mo Wagner being hurt). Diabate’s Hornets and Poole’s Wizards have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
Caris LeVert continues his hot streak
LeVert’s trade from the Cavaliers to the Hawks has ignited a career renaissance. In 38 games for Cleveland this season, he averaged 10.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes. Since the trade, his minutes have gone up to 27.7 per game, despite still coming off the bench. His scoring is up to 15.6 per game while his rebounding is up to 3.7. He’s also scored in double-figures in nine of his last 11 games as a Hawk.
Brandon Johns Jr. excels in Sweden
Johns was always a bit of an enigma in a Wolverines uniform. Supremely talented, he just never seem to be able to put it all together in Ann Arbor. Following the 2021-22 season, Johns transferred to VCU and was the Rams’ second-leading scorer. After college, he bounced around in Europe, starting in Hungary.
He has recently found a home with BC Lulea in the Swedish Basketball League. In 25 games Johns is averaging 18.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 29.3 minutes. He leads the team in scoring and field goal percentage while being second on the team in rebounding.