With the final games of the season among us, some former Indiana basketball players look to end the season strong, with some players moving forward into the NBA playoffs.
As the NBA playoff picture is nearly set, a few former Indiana players are gearing up for their team’s playoff runs while others are finishing their season strong.
Cody Zeller, who has been sitting out due to left knee soreness, has not played in a month since the Hornets took a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the team still looking to get in the playoffs as an eighth seed, don’t expect Zeller to play in the team’s regular season finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As for Noah Vonleh, he has sat out the past month while nursing an ankle injury, and will likely sit out the teams final regular season games against the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls.
As the team with the worst NBA record and with a 25 percent hance to land the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the arrival of college phenom Zion Williamson could affect Vonleh’s future in the Big Apple.
Here is how current NBA and former Indiana basketball players fared this past week.
Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets – 16.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists)
All four of the Houston Rockets’ wins in the past week were won by over 20 points each and Gordon more than provided his fair share of point production for the team.
Gordon shot a blistering 64 percent from three in the team’s win over the Phoenix Suns, where he made nine three-pointers and scored 26 points for the game.
Look for the Houston Rockets to rest or limit Eric Gordon’s playing time in their final game of the season against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Weekly Stat Line: 18.3 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.5 APG, 53.3% FG, 51.2% 3PT 4-0 W/L
OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors – 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists)
With only two games scheduled in the last week and having already clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Toronto Raptors have been using their final stretch of games as confidence boosters for their rotation players.
With an overtime win over the Miami Heat and a close loss to the Hornets, OG managed only to put up four points on the week in limited action heading into the playoffs where they will face Orlando Magic in the first round.
Weekly Stat Line: 2.0 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 12.5% FG, 1-1 W/L
Thomas Bryant (Washington Wizards – 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 0.9 blocks)
The former Indiana big men has solidified his role on this Wizards team, averaging very solid numbers at the end of the season, scoring double figure in eight of his last nine games.
Despite close losses, Bryant’s performances in the second half of the season have been indicative of his potential.
Expect the young big man to further develop his game this summer and continue to build on his breakout season.
Weekly stat line: 18.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 55.5% FG 0-3 W/L
Yogi Ferrell (Sacramento Kings- 5.8 points, 1.5 assists, 1.9 rebounds)
Coming towards the end of the season, Ferrell has seen a slight increase in minutes, even playing 36 minutes in a 20 point blowout loss to Utah.
Yogi shot a respectable 35 percent from the three-point line and an astonishing 90 percent from the charity stripe.
Look for him to continue his development this summer and return with an improved assertiveness from an offensive standpoint.
Weekly Stat Line: 8.3 PPG, 3.0 APG, 44% FG, 3-1 W/L