Category: Spartans in the NBA

WATCH: Draymond Green clowns Jaren Jackson Jr. for outfit in post game press conference

Draymond Green was on NBA on TNT and had some fun at JJJ’s expense.

From Bryn Forbes to Jaren Jackson Jr., Spartans around the NBA have had a huge spotlight this year in the playoffs. On Monday night, that spotlight was turned onto JJJ, but not for his play.

After the Grizzlies loss to the Jazz, Jackson Jr. showed up in some very, very casual attire, and his fellow Spartan and buddy Draymond Green, who was on the NBA on TNT broadcast, was not having it.

You can watch Draymond clown JJJ below:

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Bryn Forbes has huge game in Bucks’ series clinching win over Heat

Former Michigan State sharpshooter Bryn Forbes has had a masterful series scoring the basketball as the Milwaukee Bucks swept the Miami Heat

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Former Michigan State sharpshooter Bryn Forbes has played an integral role for the Milwaukee Bucks in this year’s NBA playoffs. Forbes has been in double figures the past three games, being a spark plug off the bench.

The Milwaukee Bucks put away the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, finishing off the first round sweep. Forbes was a key reason the Bucks were able to put away the series.

Forbes came off of the bench for 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting from 3-point land. Forbes’ shooting off the bench could play an integral role in a Milwaukee playoff run this post-season.

Look at some of the reactions and watch highlights from Forbes’ hot afternoon here:

Forbes was very efficient with his scoring.

In the four game series, Forbes outscored Heat star Jimmy Butler.

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WATCH: Bryn Forbes catches fire, scores 19 points in first half of NBA playoff matchup vs. Miami Heat

Bryn Forbes went off in the first half of the Bucks’ game against the Miami Heat, scoring 19 points on 5 3s.

These NBA playoffs have been fun if you are a fan of watching Michigan State basketball players stand out in the league. Xavier Tillman and Jaren Jackson Jr. were the first Spartans to show the world what they can do on this larger stage. On Monday night, Bryn Forbes had the internet buzzing.

Forbes caught fire in the first half, leading the Milwaukee Bucks with 19 points on 5-for-8 3-point shooting. The Bucks currently lead the Miami Heat 78-51 at the time of this post.

Below, you can watch some of his hot-shooting night in Milwaukee:

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WATCH: Jaren Jackson Jr. with incredible sequence in playoff debut

Michigan State basketball alumni Jaren Jackson Jr. has been making highlight-reel plays since returning from injury. That trend continued:

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The Memphis Grizzlies won two play-in games to find themselves as the 8-seed in the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs against the no. 1 seeded Utah Jazz. This would be the first taste of the playoffs for Jaren Jackson and most of the young core with the Grizzlies.

Since returning from injury, Jaren Jackson has been seen making highlight-reel plays, both offensively and defensively.

In the Grizzlies’ Sunday night win over the Jazz, Jackson can be seen making a key play on the defensive end, only to follow it up with a great play on the offensive end a few moments later in a critical spot in the fourth quarter.

You can watch the sequence here:

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NBA Twitter reacts to breakout night for Xavier Tillman

NBA Twitter gave Xavier Tillman respect a strong performance in the play-in game.

What a night for Xavier Tillman. The former Spartans and Grizzlies rookie showed out in a big way last night in Memphis’ win over the Golden State Warriors in the playoff play-in game.

Tillman, who was a second-round pick, showed why that was probably an oversight, and he also opened a lot of eyes around the hard-to-impress NBA Twitter community.

Here are some of the best reactions from NBA Twitter as they watched Tillman’s breakout night:

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LOOK: Draymond Green, Xavier Tillman share moment following career-making night for Tillman

Fellow Spartans Draymond Green and Xavier Tillman shared a moment following a tough battle in the NBA play-in game.

Last night, the Memphis Grizzlies turned to Xavier Tillman to anchor their defense in a must-win play-in game against the Golden State Warriors. Tillman answered that call, and led the Grizzlies to a win over the Warriors in overtime.

Tillman had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, a block and an assist in a game that turned a lot of heads and opened a lot of eyes around the league.

For Spartan fans, one of the most entertaining parts of the game was watching Tillman battle with Spartan legend and multi-time NBA champion Draymond Green.

If you know anything about Tillman and Green’s relationship, you know that Green has been hard on Tillman for years and demanded greatness from a player he has often been compared to. Both players were second round draft picks and have a playful but tough mentor-mentee relationship.

After the game, Green put his arm around Tillman and the two shared a pretty awesome moment. Take a look below:

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Highlights: Xavier Tillman dives for loose ball, hits dagger three to seal win for Memphis

Xavier Tillman had a breakout night last night. Here were some of the best highlights.

Many Michigan State basketball fans were annoyed and confused when Xavier Tillman was seemingly snubbed in the NBA draft, slipping to the second round. Last night, in a must-win game for the Memphis Grizzlies, Tillman showed everyone why he was probably slept on in the draft process.

From diving to loose balls, to hitting dagger threes to close out the game, to even tag-teaming with Jaren Jackson Jr. to slow down

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WATCH: Jaren Jackson Jr. shares powerful postgame moment with Xavier Tillman following his huge night

Longtime friends Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman shared an emotional moment following Tillman’s breakout game for Memphis.

Last night, when Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas fouled out of the team’s play-in game against the Golden State Warriors, former Spartan Xavier Tillman was called upon to close out a tough game that went into overtime, and he delivered.

This was easily the biggest stage Tillman has been on as an NBA player, and the player who many felt was snubbed in the draft and taken in the second round showed out in a big way and helped lead his team to a 117-112 victory.

After the game, his longtime friend, fellow Spartan and former teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. shared a powerful moment with Xavier Tillman following the biggest night of his career thus far.

Jackson also went on:

He had started off the interview gushing about his friend:

Man, did someone chop some onions in here?

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Draymond Green makes NBA history as first player with more rebounds, assists than points in a season

Draymond Green became the first player in NBA history to finish with more rebounds and assists than points in a season

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Former Michigan State Spartan Draymond Green has always been a player who makes everyone around him better, and that was demonstrated more than ever this season.

Green became the first player in NBA history to finish with more rebounds and assists than points in a season, according to Elias Sports. Green finished this season with 449 rebounds and 558 assists compared to 444 points.

Green averaged 7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game this year for the Golden State Warriors.

Green’s season came to a close on Friday night when the Warriors were eliminated in the play-in tournament by the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Spartans in NBA Playoffs: See who will be competing in 2021 postseason

Here’s a breakdown of the Spartans that’ll be in the NBA playoffs that begin later this week, with a schedule on when they’ll be playing.

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The NBA postseason is back, and once again Michigan State will be well represented with numerous alumni battling it out for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

Six different former Spartans will be playing in the 2021 NBA playoffs.

Here’s a breakdown of the Spartans that’ll be in the NBA playoffs that begin on Tuesday, with a schedule on when each player will be on the court: