NBA Hoosiers Regular Season Recap
With the NBA Playoffs just around the corner and the play-in games happening this week, we can look back on the regular season performances of Hoosier alumni around the league.
Four of the six NBA Hoosiers find themselves still alive in the race for an NBA Championship.
From guys looking to establish themselves in the league, to veterans looking to win their first ring, here’s how the six NBA Hoosiers did this past regular season.
Jalen Hood-Schifino
After spending most of his rookie season in the G League, Hood-Schifino was in a similar position with the Lakers in year two before the NBA flipped upside down.
After playing in just two games with the Lakers, Hood-Schifino was traded to the Jazz in the deal that landed Luka Doncic in Los Angeles and Anthony Davis in Dallas.
He was one of the forgotten pieces of that trade as Utah waived him before playing a game.
Hood-Schifino signed a two-way deal with the 76ers and joined their G League affiliate.
After playing in just three games and averaging 27.0 points and 4.7 assists in the G League, Hood-Schifino joined the 76ers and appeared in 13 of the team’s final 17 games.
In his second game with Philadelphia, Hood-Schifino scored a career-high 19 points in a win against Dallas.
The former Hoosier averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while playing 23.2 minutes per game with the 76ers.
While he has shown growth as a player, there are question marks about a role with the 76ers moving forward as his playing time came as a result of major injuries.
Hood-Schifino heads into the offseason as a restricted free agent and likely will find himself on another two-way deal as he looks to establish himself as a rotational NBA player.
Eric Gordon
At age 36, Eric Gordon completed his 17th season of his NBA career playing with the 76ers.
Gordon played in just 39 games as his season was cut short due to an injury that required arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist in February.
The former six-man of the year averaged a career-low 6.8 points per game this season. Gordon still shot 40.9% from three, but with so many injuries, there were not many positives in Philly.
The longtime NBA sniper’s career could be approaching the end as this was the first time he has averaged less than double-figures in a season.
The 76ers are set to reevaluate Gordon’s injury before free agency.
Gordon has a $3.4 million player option for next season with Philly so he will have until June 29th to make a decision regarding the future of his career.
Thomas Bryant
After resigning with the Heat this offseason, Thomas Bryant’s time in Miami was cut short after 10 games when he was traded to the Pacers in a second-round pick swap.
That trade turned out to be a major blessing for Bryant who returned to the Hoosier state.
After struggling to find a consistent role with the Heat, Bryant solidified himself as a key rotational piece for Indiana.
After a slow start to the season for the Pacers, the addition of Bryant helped right the ship as the team went 39-17 in the 56 games he played in. They were 11-15 in the 26 games without him.
Bryant averaged 6.9 points, and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the field in 15.1 minutes per game.
The Pacers and Bryant will begin their playoff run on Saturday against the Bucks where they’ll look to make another run back to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Looking ahead, Bryant is only on a one-year deal and will be a free agent this summer. After a productive season with Indiana, the Pacers could look to bring him back, but Bryant will likely have other NBA suitors if not.
Kel’el Ware
After being selected 15th overall by the Miami Heat, Kel’el Ware had to wait a bit to get his chance.
Ware played a few games, but his role was inconsistent at best until right after Thomas Bryant was traded to the Pacers.
The former Hoosier found himself playing at least 10 minutes every game and his role only grew from there.
By the end of the season, Ware had established himself as a key piece, starting in 36 of his final 38 appearances.
The rookie center showcased his elite talent as a lob finisher as well as being a good shot blocker. Ware did both of those at a high level for Miami while also stretching the floor as a shooter.
Ware averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 55.4% from the field and 31.5% from distance.
His play will likely earn him a spot on an All-Rookie team.
The season was a rollercoaster for the Heat due to the Jimmy Butler saga. They still find themselves in the play-in game as the 10th seed with a chance to once again grind their way into the playoffs.
While his attention is focused on finding a way into the playoffs, Ware solidified himself as a key part of the Heat’s plans moving forward and should see his role grow in year two.
Trayce Jackson-Davis
After a very good rookie season, Trayce Jackson-Davis did not take the step many were hoping he would in year two.
Jackson-Davis began the year as a key part of the rotation playing in 45 of the Warriors’ first 46 games.
He then fell out of favor in Steve Kerr’s rotation playing in just 17 of the team’s final 37 games.
Jackson-Davis spent time in the G League playing in just one game in March where he had 22 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks before rejoining the Warriors.
With the Warriors set to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tonight, it seems unlikely Jackson-Davis will see much time on the floor if any.
After this season ends, Jackson-Davis will be heading into the final guaranteed year of his contract with the Warriors holding a team option for 2026-27.
If Golden State does not see him as a part of their plans moving forward, the former Hoosier star could be a trade candidate to watch for this offseason.
OG Anunoby
After signing a massive 5 year $212 million extension with the Knicks, OG Anunoby is having arguably the best season of his NBA career.
The former Hoosier is averaging a career-high 18.0 points while adding 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Each year of his career, Anunoby has taken a step forward, and in year eight he has established himself as a borderline all-star as he’s played a massive role on both ends for New York.
In November, Anunoby scored a career-high 40 points in a win against the Nuggets.
The Knicks finished the regular season as the 3rd seed in the East and will begin their playoff run with a series against the Pistons.
Last year in the playoffs, Anunoby averaged 15.1 points and 6.0 rebounds while battling injuries.
Anunoby will once again play a big role as the Knicks look to get to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
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