Three Former Cards Reach 2023 NBA Playoffs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With both the regular season and the NBA Play-In Tournament now in the rear view mirror, the 2023 iteration of the NBA Playoffs have finally arrived. The quest for the sacred Larry O'Brien Trophy begins Saturday, Apr. 15, and three former Louisville Cardinals have a shot at it.

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, Philadelphia 76ers power forward/center Montrezl Harrell and Phoenix Suns shooting guard Damion Lee will all be leading their respective teams through the playoffs for a shot at an NBA title.

Chicago Bull point guard Carlik Jones had made the Play-In Tournament, but was eliminated.

First to take the court will be Harrell. Currently in his eighth year in the NBA and first with Philadelphia, Harrell's production has taken a bit of hit due to him being on a loaded 76ers roster. Playing in 57 games with seven starts, his 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds across 11.9 minutes per game are all the lowest since his first season in the league.

Led by MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid and 10-time All-Star James Harden, Philly was able to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will open up their playoff run against the sixth-seeded Brooklyn Nets, with game one is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 15 at 1:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Next up will be Mitchell, who is in his first season with the Cavaliers after being traded by the Utah Jazz over the offseason. The sixth-year player is in the midst of his best season since coming into the NBA, with his 28.3 points per game, 48.4 field goal percentage and 38.6 three-point percentage all being career-highs. Also averaging 4.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, he was named an NBA All-Star earlier this season for the fourth straight year.

Making their first playoff appearance since LeBron James left for the second time, Cleveland secured the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, drawing Julius Randle and the No. 5 New York Knicks for their first round matchup. Game one is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Finally, we have Lee, who will see action on the second day of the NBA Playoffs. He is also in his sixth year in the NBA and his first with a new organization, joining the Suns this past offseason after four years with the Golden State Warriors. Playing in 74 games, his 8.2 points and 1.3 assists over 20.4 minutes per game were all the highest for Lee since the 2019-20 season.

Adding former MVP Kevin Durant to a lineup that also boasts Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns are determined to make a deep playoff runs after clinching the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. They'll take on Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbook and the No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers right out of the gates, with game one scheduled for Sunday, Apr. 16 at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

(Photo of Donovan Mitchell: Jeremy Reper - USA TODAY Sports)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook - @LouisvilleReport
Twitter - @UofLReport
Instagram - @louisville_report

You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter

Add us as a preferred source on Google