Pro Hog Update: Four Razorbacks battling in Western Conference playoffs
The NBA Playoffs have moved into the next round, and there are four former Razorbacks playing in the Western Conference side for a chance at an NBA Finals ring.
Anthony Black (Orlando Magic), Jordan Walsh (Boston Celtics) and Moses Moody (Golden State Warriors, though he’s rehabbing a ruptured patellar tendon and did not play) have already been eliminated.
HawgBeat’s latest Pro Hog Update zeroes in on one specific series…
Two Hogs a piece on Thunder and Lakers rosters
The Fort Smith duo of Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe are aiming for their second NBA Finals trophy in as many years, while Adou Thiero, Nick Smith Jr. and the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to slay the giant that is the 1-seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
As of the writing of this piece, the Thunder have a 1-0 series lead over the Lakers and, for the most part, cruised to a 108-90 win in Game 1.
Neither Williams or Joe put up eye-popping numbers — Williams had three points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in 20 while Joe had nine points, one rebound, one assist and a steal in 11 minutes.
On the other bench, Smith and Thiero combined to play just four minutes and the only stat recorded by either was a rebound by Smith.
The Lakers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, but the Thunder quickly erased that and held a 61-53 lead at the half. Midway through the third quarter, the Lakers cut the lead to 69-65, but struggled to hit shots and the Thunder pulled away.
Chet Holmgren, who played for the Gonzaga team that Arkansas beat in the Sweet 16 in 2022, had a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. Former Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who played for John Calipari with the Wildcats, had 18 points but also turned the ball over seven times.
The quartet of former Razorbacks will play again in Game 2 in Oklahoma City on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m.
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