The NBA playoff field is set, and there will be plenty of former Michigan State basketball stars showcased in the postseason this year.
Sure, many of them will have to play in the play-in rounds to make the actual part of the playoffs, but nonetheless, it's great to see so many former players in the postseason.
Let's take a closer look at the former Spartans who will be partaking in the NBA postseason.
Gary Harris, Orlando Magic
Former MSU star Gary Harris has seen his minutes and production decrease significantly over the last several seasons. But his Orlando Magic team will be participating in the play-in as the current No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. If they can beat the Atlanta Hawks, they will be the seven-seed and advance to a first-round matchup with the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Harris has played in 34 postseason games in his career. That should help give the Magic some experience in just their second postseason appearance in the last five seasons.
Xavier Tillman Sr., Boston Celtics
The Celtics await who their first-round foe will be. But they locked up the 2-seed in the East. Xavier Tillman Sr. will look to help in any way he can to try and get the Celtics a second straight NBA title.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
A heartbreaking overtime loss on the final day of the regular season sends Draymond Green and the Warriors to host a play-in game. They get the Memphis Grizzlies, which renews a heated rivalry of recent years. Green and the Warriors will try to punch their ticket to the 7-seed. Nothing is a given in the play-in, but the Warriors core of Green, Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler have done more than enough to get into the playoffs, one way or another.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
On the flip side of that play-in matchup with Golden State is another former Michigan State Spartan. Jaren Jackson Jr., like Draymond, is a defensive warrior. Jackson has had an outstanding season. He will look to help his Grizzlies get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. It should be an intense clash between the Grizzlies and Warriors. Jackson and Green are both loyal Spartan Dawgs, but they don't have any problem talking back and forth on the court.
Max Christie, Dallas Mavericks
Since getting traded to Dallas, Max Christie has continued to live up to expectations. He's had a breakout season. And his Mavericks team will try to make a run as the final team in the Western Conference play-in. Yes, Dallas is the 10-seed and will try to upset Sacramento and stay alive for another day. Injuries have plagued this team, but Christie hasn't let that stop him from trying to give this team all he has.
There are currently six former Spartans in the NBA, and to have five of them in the postseason is quite a feat. The lone player that isn't is Miles Bridges, but his Charlotte Hornets team has been more often far from playoff level for the better part of a decade.
Best of luck to all of the great Michigan State Spartans in the NBA postseason.