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The NBA Playoffs are here, and the teams that have made it are going to risk it all to win the elusive championship. With teams going all out, you can expect the stars to take center stage. Meanwhile, other players will also be looking to step up during big moments.
For this piece, let’s take a look at every NBA Playoff teams' wildcard player.
Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura
There’s no question that Westbrook and Beal have been big for the Wizards. However, Hachimura’s ability to keep in step with opposing forwards will be key. Offensively Hachimura has the tools to dominate, as he even managed to posterize AD during the season.
If Hachimura can give elite forwards a run for their money, they have a chance to get past the stacked Sixers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Memphis Grizzlies: Grayson Allen
The Grizzlies will go as far as Ja Morant takes them. However, with Mitchell still tending to his ankle injury, anything can happen especially if shooter Allen waxes hot from rainbow country.
Although Allen slumped in the latter part of the regular season, he couldn’t have found a better time to regain his stroke during the playoff clinching game against the Warriors who were led by Stephen Curry. Allen fired four three pointers, including two big ones in overtime. He finished with 12 points off the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers: Alex Caruso
The Lakers are headlined by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, a key piece in their bid for a repeat will be Alex Caruso. Although Caruso isn’t a major scorer, his energy, hustle, and defense can always make an impact. With his knack for 50/50 balls, the Lakers can easily convert them into fastbreak points. Aside from this, Caruso will play a major role in keeping elite players at bay.
Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart
With his ability to guard all positions, Smart is easily the wildcard for Boston. Arguably the best defender in the team, Smart will be crucial in the Celtics’ run as they face the Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Smart will have his hands full right from the get-go, as the Nets will deploy their Big Three. Aside from this, he will also need to contribute on offense, especially with Brown sidelined with a wrist injury. Although this is a gargantuan task, fortunately, this is what Smart specializes in.
Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons
Damien Lillard and CJ McCollum will be the one-two punch the Blazers will bank on for the postseason, but Simons’ scoring off the bench will be a welcome sight for the team. Although he’s still young, Simons is growing to be a dangerous scorer. Aside from punishing opponents with his athleticism, the Slam Dunk Champion also has the ability to get hot from deep.
Miami Heat: Dewayne Dedmon
The Heat wanted some front-court depth to support Bam, and they got what they needed after picking up Dewayne Dedmon. Dedmon has been a boost off-the-bench.
He adds more physicality to the team that is gunning for another trip to the Finals. In fact, he has been the silver-lining in the series against the Bucks. Dedmon tallied 19 points and nine boards off the bench in Game Two of his NBA Playoffs series.
Atlanta Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic
The Atlanta Hawks are a young team spearheaded by Trae Young and Clint Capela. Although this is a tough duo, the Hawks are gonna need all the firepower they can get in order to survive the East. As a result, Bogdanovic is their biggest wild card.
Bogdanovic can punish opposing teams with his outside sniping. In fact, he was huge in the Hawks’ turnaround in the midst of the season. If the Serbian shooter can hit big shots like he did against the Knicks in Game One, then the Hawks could be a dark horse.
Dallas Mavericks: Dorian Finney-Smith
3-and-D players are essential for the postseason and Finley-Smith has been excellent in that role. With Josh Richardson playing subpar, Dorian Finney-Smith has answered the call to not only knock down shots, but to also hustle on the opposite end. In the Game One win, he fired 18 points, spiked by four treys.
Los Angeles Clippers: Rajon Rondo
Experience and IQ are what Rondo provides come playoff season. Because of this, he is no doubt the wildcard for the Clippers. With his stellar playmaking and knack for loose-balls, Rondo was a big reason the Lakers hoisted the trophy last season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he can help another duo in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard win a championship this year.
New York Knicks: Alec Burks
Burks has put up a productive season for the Knicks and his scoring will be crucial to their postseason run. He averaged 12.7 points, while shooting 42% from deep during the season. With his presence, Randle will have a reliable scorer with him alongside Rose and Barrett. In the Knicks’ first NBA Playoffs game since 2013, Burks surprisingly exploded for 27 points in 26 minutes.
Milwaukee Bucks: Bryn Forbes
The Bucks aren’t short of talent and it includes Bryn Forbes. With the focus on Giannis, Middleton, and Holiday, Forbes’ shooting will be key for the Bucks. Forbes shot 45% from deep during the regular season. And in Game Two, he dropped 22 points off the bench with 18 coming from long range. In addition to this, with his ability to space the floor, Giannis will have plenty of room to operate in the paint.
Denver Nuggets: Aaron Gordon
With Murray out, the Nuggets’ playoff bid was surrounded by doubts. However, with Jokic in MVP form and MPJ stepping up, they still look like a solid unit. But with so much great perimeter players in the NBA Playoffs, Gordon is their wildcard.
With his length and athleticism, Gordon can bother the opposing team’s scorers and make an impact on offense. In fact, he showcased his defense when he slowed down Lillard en-route to a Game Two victory.
Brooklyn Nets: Nicolas Claxton
The Brooklyn Nets have a lot of surplus when it comes to scoring. However, they still lack frontcourt depth. Because of this, Claxton is easily their wildcard for the postseason.
Claxton has been making an impact for the Nets with his rim-protection and physicality. There’s no doubt he will be crucial once they face elite big men like Joel Embiid.
Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton
The Suns have been hot, thanks to Booker and CP3. However, facing the Lakers in the first round will be an acid test. There is no question that DeAndre Ayton will be the wildcard of the team, as he will be tasked to rub shoulders with the Lakers’ formidable front-court that includes AD, Andre Drummond, and Marc Gasol. It will be up to Ayton to anchor the paint for the Suns.
Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle
Despite playing limited minutes in the season, Matisse Thybulle has made significant impact on defense. The rookie has shown his ability to lockdown the opposing team’s stars. In fact, even Ben Simmons praised his teammate. With great scorers in the playoffs, Thybulle will have opportunities to showcase his defensive wares against them.
Utah Jazz: Jordan Clarkson
With Mitchell out, there is no doubt the Jazz are vulnerable against the Grizzlies. To fill his absence, Clarkson has taken on the scoring load. The Sixth Man of the Year had a successful season seeing him earn career-highs across the board.
However, whether he can replicate his performance in the NBA Playoffs is still a big question mark. Clarkson’s consistency and efficiency in scoring will be key if they want to survive Memphis without their star.