Duke basketball: Unlikely final Blue Devils in playoffs hoping to make impact

An unlikely former Duke basketball guard is making his presence known in the NBA Playoffs. 

The Conference Finals are in full swing, but there are only two active former Duke basketball players left in the NBA Playoffs, and it’s not what most people would have expected a month ago.

An injured Kyrie Irving watched Kevin Durant run out of magic tricks from the sideline as the Brooklyn Nets bowed out of the postseason to the Milwaukee Bucks. Meanwhile, Seth Curry had very little help outside of Joel Embiid as the Philadelphia 76ers were upset by the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

However, the Los Angeles Clippers remain in the playoffs despite falling behind in each of their first three series, 2-0.

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Former Blue Devil Luke Kennard has been used as a volume shooter for the Clippers this season and has seen his role increase due to the injury of All-Pro Kawhi Leonard.

In the 2021 Playoffs, Kennard is shooting 55.3 percent from the floor and 48.6 percent from 3-point range with his postseason high coming in Game 1 against the Utah Jazz with 18 points.

Against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, Kennard posted six points in a Game 1 loss and chipped in 10 points, all in the fourth quarter, in the incredible finish of Game 2, won by the Suns.

Duke basketball star could be making playoff debut on Wednesday night

Luke Kennard is the final former Blue Devil in the NBA Playoffs…for now.

Cam Reddish, a former first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks, has not played in a game since February 23 due to Achilles soreness, but the former Duke forward has been upgraded from ‘out’ to ‘questionable’ ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Reddish has played in 26 games, starting 21, this season while averaging 11.1 points per game in what is his second professional season.

Game 1 between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks is slated for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (TNT). Game 3 between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns is Thursday at 9:00 p.m. (ESPN).