There’s less UCLA Bruins than you might expect in this year’s NBA playoffs. The NBA playoffs kicked off on Saturday with only six UCLA alumni still in the mix for an NBA championship this spring.
UCLA has six players on five different playoff teams. For the season itself, the Bruins had 14 players compete in the NBA, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Norman Powell of the Miami Heat being eliminated in this week’s Play-In Tournament.
The Bruins have sent a total of 106 players to the NBA/ABA, including some all-time legends of the game such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton and Russell Westbrook. The six UCLA players in this year’s playoffs are of a more lowkey variety but the group does feature one former NBA champion and Olympic Gold Medal winner.
Jrue Holiday: Portland Trail Blazers
It’s been a few years since the Trail Blazers have appeared in the playoffs but after acquiring Jrue Holiday this past offseason, Portland is back in the dance. The Blazers got a tough draw, as they’ll face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Aaron Holiday: Houston Rockets
It’s not the NBA playoffs without a few different Holiday brothers. While Jrue suits up against the Spurs, Aaron Holiday will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. It should be an exciting first round matchup, with the Rockets struggling for much of the season facing a Laker team that’s currently missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Adem Bona: Philadelphia 76ers
Adem Bona is UCLA’s most recent NBA draft pick and the center finds himself in the playoffs in his second season. Bona and the 76ers are dealing with a healthy Boston Celtics team that won the NBA title just two seasons ago.
Peyton Watson: Denver Nuggets
Since Peyton Watson and the Nuggets won the Finals in his rookie season, it’s been a struggle in the playoffs ever since. Anytime you’re teammates with Nikola Jokioc, you have a chance for a deep playoff run but first they’ll have to get past the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kyle Anderson: Minnesota Timberwolves
Veteran Kyle Anderson finds himself back in the playoffs with the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves made the Western Conference Finals a season ago and will hope to go even farther this season. Minnesota will start off against the Denver Nuggets.
Jaylen Clark: Minnesota Timberwolves
Jaylen Clark appeared in 68 games for Minnesota this year, putting up 4.0 points per game. Clark is a backup for Wolves star Anthony Edwards, who’s been battling a knee injury. The Timberwolves will need a healthy Edwards to get past the Denver Nuggets.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: A look at the six UCLA Bruins currently in the NBA playoffs
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
