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Kansas basketball: Five former Jayhawks set to begin NBA Playoffs push

By Dillon Davis

Apr 4, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2023 NBA Playoffs are set to begin this week and there will be multiple former Kansas Jayhawks looking to make an impact.

In total, five former KU hoopers will be suited up for their respective teams.

Fan favorite Christian Braun is set to make his first NBA Playoffs appearance in his rookie season for the Denver Nuggets. Braun has averaged modest numbers in his first season with just 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, but he’s really been coming on strong as of late with several highlight plays.

The Nuggets are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and will face the winner of the 9/10-seed versus the loser of the 7/8-seed matchup.

Former Jayhawk Quentin Grimes will also be making his playoff debut with the New York Knicks. Grimes has had a great sophomore season with the Knicks and is averaging nearly 22 points per game since mid-March.

The Knicks will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland on Saturday, April 15.

NBA veteran and all-time KU great Marcus Morris is in the NBA Playoffs once more. Morris is averaging 11.2 points and 4 rebounds per game in his fourth season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers will go on the road to face the Phoenix Suns this Sunday, April 16, though Morris is listed as doubtful to play due to a back injury.

Former Kansas freshman phenom Andrew Wiggins is back with the Golden State Warriors after a long absence due to undisclosed family matters. Wiggins was having a great season with the Warriors – averaging 17.1 point and 5 rebounds per game – but hasn’t played a game since Feb. 13.

The Warriors are looking to repeat as NBA champions and will begin their playoff push on the road against the Sacramento Kings this Saturday.

Last, but not least, Joel Embiid looks to carry his Philadelphia 76ers to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Embiid has had another incredible season as he leads the NBA in scoring with 33.1 points per game to go along with 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Those numbers put Embiid in great position to take home this year’s MVP award – which would make him the first former Jayhawk since Wilt Chamberlain (1968) to win the award.

The No. 3-seed 76ers will host the No.6-seed Brooklyn Nets this Saturday.

The full NBA Playoffs schedule (including times and TV channels) can be viewed here.

dark. Next. Could Joel Embiid finally win NBA MVP?

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