Is that this the NBA’s model of … April Insanity? Maybe so, if solely as a result of the SoFi Play-In Match is filled with the kind of gamers and groups you wouldn’t usually affiliate with a win-or-else competition, a minimum of this early in springtime.
But, right here we’re. There might be former NBA champions, MVPs and future Corridor of Famers enjoying with a feverish spirit normally seen in June, all as a result of the excessive aggressive steadiness of the league this season put them in a troublesome spot.
Right here’s a have a look at a number of the largest stars of the eight-team event and what’s at stake in what ought to be a memorable week of hoops (listed alphabetically by final identify):
Jimmy Butler, Warmth
Butler simply had an uneven season that was interrupted by harm — he performed 60 video games, 5 underneath the minimal for main awards — and red-flagged for his incapability to hold Miami to extra wins and safe playoff spot. However that was Common Season Jimmy, so take that for what it’s value.
His Play-In expertise: Final spring, Butler launched one of many extra spectacular postseason stretches in current reminiscence with a 31-point effort towards the Bulls to seize the No. 8 seed. The Warmth subsequent performed the top-seeded Bucks within the first spherical and everyone knows what occurred subsequent — Jimmy occurred.
Key query: Does Butler nonetheless breathe fireplace and hold the chip on his shoulder at any time when he’s enjoying towards his outdated crew, the Sixers, in a significant sport?
Stephen Curry, Warriors
Curry was the lone constantly strong participant for the Warriors this season and continuously rose to the event in pressing conditions; he’ll be a candidate for the Kia Clutch Participant Award. Effectively, there’s no pressing state of affairs like now.
His Play-In expertise: Curry was sensible in his solely earlier Play-In style however it was bittersweet. He had thrilling duels with LeBron James after which Ja Morant in 2021 however fell brief on the scoreboard and watched the playoffs from the couch (or golf course).
Key query: The final time Curry performed the Kings in an elimination tip — Recreation 7 final spring — he dropped a 50-piece. Will the Warriors require that a lot power from him once more?
Anthony Davis, Lakers
Davis was the best Laker this season at each rims, offering scoring steadiness with LeBron James and likewise displaying a excessive stage of safety that’ll earn him some point out for Kia Defensive Participant of the Yr. He additionally will get up for the Pelicans, his former crew.
His Play-In expertise: AD had 25 factors and 12 rebounds in 2021 towards the Warriors, getting 13 factors within the fourth quarter to assist lead the thrilling comeback win. Then final 12 months, he dropped 24 and 15 towards Minnesota to atone for committing a last-second foul in regulation.
Key query: Will AD have any lingering points together with his again, which flared and prompted him to exit final Sunday’s sport towards the Pelicans within the remaining 5 minutes?
DeMar DeRozan, Bulls
In a season of combined messages for the Bulls, the one fixed was DeRozan, who quietly had a powerful season, averaging 24 factors, enjoying 79 video games and most impressively was one of many league leaders in clutch moments.
His Play-In expertise: DeRozan was sturdy (41 minutes) and strong (26 factors, 9 assists) in his final Play-In sport however outshined by Jimmy Butler final spring in Miami’s win, which eradicated the Bulls.
Key query: If the Bulls fail to advance to the playoffs — and so they’ll have to win twice to take action — will this be the final time DeRozan, who’s a free agent this summer time, performs in a Bulls’ uniform?
Joel Embiid, 76ers
He’s, maybe unquestionably, the participant carrying probably the most intrigue on this event. Embiid simply returned from a knee harm that derailed a season shaping as much as be his finest. Now, instantly, the reigning MVP can rework the Sixers and perhaps deliver postseason suspense within the East, which was (is?) thought of a Celtics stronghold.
His Play-In expertise: He’ll make his first Play-In look.
Key query: Having gained eight straight video games, 5 with Embiid within the lineup since his return, will the Sixers even have to lean so closely on their huge man for one or presumably two video games, and if that’s the case, can he deal with the load after lacking a lot time?
LeBron James, Lakers
Curiously, and maybe hilariously, it was LeBron who questioned aloud a couple of years in the past concerning the “genius” who got here up with the Play-In thought. Effectively, nicely — the event has been a success and LeBron flourished twice in such conditions.
His Play-In expertise: LeBron bought the most effective of Steph Curry in an entertaining back-and-forth in 2021, then managed 30 factors and 10 rebounds final 12 months in a win over the Wolves.
Key query: LeBron continues to maintain delaying Father Time right here in his twenty first season, however his enjoying time soared down the stretch run; will that be a problem?
Dejounte Murray, Hawks
When Trae Younger suffered a finger harm after the All-Star break and dealt the Hawks an apparent setback, it wasn’t a season-killer. That’s as a result of Murray seized the possibility to indicate his value. He averaged nearly 27 factors with 9 assists in March, together with three 40-point video games that month.
His Play-In expertise: It was humbling for Murray in 2022; he was hassled on protection by the Pelicans’ Herb Jones and shot simply 5-for-19 from the ground within the loss. It was his final sport with the Spurs.
Key query: Can Murray provide the identical or extra power on protection as he has these days on offense, particularly with Younger returning to scale back his scoring load?
Domantas Sabonis, Kings
In what was a barely disappointing season for Sacramento, Sabonis stood out with a efficiency that would land him on the All-NBA crew. A double-double machine, Sabonis additionally confirmed marked enchancment whereas working the offense from the excessive submit, discovering teammates slicing to the ring.
His Play-In expertise: That is his first attempt within the event.
Key query: The Kings are lacking a pair of necessary items with accidents to Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter. It will undoubtedly place a heftier load on Sabonis, particularly by way of scoring to compensate; is he up for it?
Zion Williamson, Pelicans
A wholesome Zion? Sure, please, say the Pelicans, who’ve waited patiently for Zion to complete a season the best way he began it. Whereas it hasn’t all the time been clean for him this season — he famously flamed out within the In-Season Match semis — Zion delivered during the last month, his bully-ball leading to excessive proportion pictures and Pelican wins.
His Play-In expertise: Final season, Zion strained his hamstring in January, inflicting him to overlook the Pelicans’ Play-In loss to OKC. The earlier season, a foot harm was the difficulty, however the Pelicans survived the event and moved on with out him.
Key query: Zion’s subpar play in the course of the In-Season Match was a bitter (non-injury) second in his profession. Now that he’s again on a stage larger than the common season, will he perceive the importance and ship in what’s actually his first actual style of strain basketball?
Trae Younger, Hawks
He missed 28 video games with harm, largely to his finger, and even when wholesome he had lapses of inconsistency and inefficiency. Nonetheless, Younger made the All-Star crew and averaged nearly 26 factors and 11 assists. All the time a menace with the ball, and a creator of buckets for himself or others, Younger stays one of many league’s most harmful offensive gamers.
His Play-In expertise: Younger was sensible two years in the past towards the Cavs, with 32 of his 38 factors in second half, sending the Hawks into the playoffs because the 8 seed.
Key query: Murray performed his finest ball since becoming a member of the Hawks … whereas Younger sat with harm. Can or ought to Younger acknowledge that and yield a better portion of the ball-handling chores to Murray?
* * *
Shaun Powell has lined the NBA for greater than 25 years. You possibly can e-mail him right here, discover his archive right here and observe him on X.
The views on this web page don’t essentially mirror the views of the NBA, its golf equipment or Warner Bros. Discovery.