With the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers making it out of their respective conferences once again, the two former Texas Longhorns athletes will play for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy again. Kevin Durant will be making his third NBA Finals appearance and is looking to become the sixth player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP in back-to-back seasons. Tristan Thompson is making his fourth straight Finals appearance with the Cavaliers and is looking to capture his second championship ring.
TEXAS is the ONLY school in the country that's had a former player on a team roster in the #NBAFinals in EACH of the last 8 years. For the 2nd straight year, we've got 2!
— Texas Basketball (@TexasMBB) May 30, 2018
Good luck to #Longhorns4Life @KDTrey5 & @RealTristan13. #HookEm #ThisIsTexas https://t.co/D9iXCgtJwo pic.twitter.com/WmWmAyb4aO
This marks the eighth straight season in which a former Longhorn is playing in the NBA Finals, providing further proof that Texas is near the top of the chain when it comes to producing premier NBA talent.
2018
- Tristan Thompson — Cleveland Cavaliers
- Kevin Durant — Golden State Warriors
2017
- Tristan Thompson — Cleveland Cavaliers
- Kevin Durant — Golden State Warriors
2016
- Tristan Thompson — Cleveland Cavaliers
2015
- Tristan Thompson — Cleveland Cavaliers
2014
- Cory Joseph — San Antonio Spurs
2013
- Cory Joseph — San Antonio Spurs
2012
- Kevin Durant — Oklahoma City Thunder
2011
- Dexter Pittman — Miami Heat
Durant leads the Warriors in points this postseason, averaging 29 points per game on 48 percent shooting, 32.8 percent shooting from three and 88.8 percent shooting from the line. To go along with those numbers he is averaging 7.1 rebounds per game and 4.1 assists per game.
After being criticized for underwhelming performances in Game 5 and 6 in the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets, tremendous pressure was placed upon Durant in Game 7. The superstar answered the bell with a 34-point game on 11-for-21 (5-for-11 from three) shooting and hit some big time shots in the fourth quarter.
Thompson, on the other hand, made four appearances in the Cleveland’s seven-game first round series against the Indiana Pacers, totaling 18 points and 16 rebounds in 58 minutes. Head Coach Tyronn Lue mixed things up for Game 7 and inserted Thompson in the starting lineup. He provided the spark that the Cavaliers needed and helped lift them into the second round. The big man posted a statline of 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 10 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end. Thompson’s playing time increased from there on out, as he started in six of the next 11 playoff games.
For the postseason as a whole, Thompson is averaging 6.1 points per game on 62 percent shooting and is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game. His postseason free throw percent is up to 79.2 percent, compared to a 54.4 percent during the regular regular season free throw percentage.
2018 NBA Finals Series Schedule
All games nationally televised on ABC.
Game 1: Thursday, May 31 8:00 p.m. CT - Cavaliers at Warriors
Game 2: Sunday, June 3 7:00 p.m. CT - Cavaliers at Warriors
Game 3: Wednesday, June 6 8:00 p.m. CT - Warriors at Cavaliers
Game 4: Friday, June 8 8:00 p.m. CT - Warriors at Cavaliers
*Game 5: Monday, June 11 8:00 p.m. CT - Cavaliers at Warriors
*Game 6: Thursday June 14 8:00 p.m. CT - Warriors at Cavaliers
*Game 7: Sunday June 17 7:00 p.m. CT - Cavaliers at Warriors
* - if necessary