Playoff series aren’t always decided by the stars. The biggest names tend to get the credit, and the blame, but no one carries a team through a postseason run alone.
Role players always emerge when it matters most. From John Paxson’s title-clinching three to Otto Porter Jr.’s contributions in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship, non-stars consistently play pivotal roles in shaping postseason outcomes. This year will be no different, so here are a few to watch as the postseason unfolds.
Luke Kornet, Spurs
San Antonio is expected to increase Victor Wembanyama’s minutes in the playoffs, but Luke Kornet will still see extended stretches as the team’s lone big.
Kornet logged 1,191 regular-season minutes without Wembanyama, with San Antonio posting a +6.3 net rating in those lineups. By comparison, the Spurs were -2.2 per 100 possessions without either big on the floor.
In a smaller 97-minute sample, lineups featuring both struggled, posting a -8.7 net rating. It’s a combination that didn’t work in the regular season, but could still be necessary in certain playoff matchups, particularly against the size of the Minnesota Timberwolves or Houston Rockets.
Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
How much hack-a-Mitch will we see? Does Mitchell Robinson’s rebounding force opponents, like the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, to play bigger lineups than they’re comfortable with?
Robinson has been a series-swinging presence in past playoff runs. His size, shot-blocking, and offensive rebounding are impactful enough that teams will repeatedly foul him in an effort to get the New York Knicks to take him off the floor.
If New York is going to make a deep run, they need Robinson to stay healthy and log meaningful minutes alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.
Jaylon Tyson, Cavaliers
Cleveland might have finally found their fifth starter. De’Andre Hunter has come and gone, while Max Strus had a limited regular-season role due to injury. Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder are too small for the role.
Tyson started 42 regular-season games and shot over 44% from three on solid volume. Cleveland was +13 per 100 possessions with Tyson and Donovan Mitchell on the floor.
Perhaps most significantly, the Cavs were effective in lineups with Tyson on the floor while Mitchell rested. If that carries into the playoffs, Cleveland at least has a formula to tread water without its top scorer.
Peyton Watson, Nuggets
Fresh off a breakout season, it would be cruel if Watson missed the playoffs. Unfortunately, that’s a real possibility after he reaggravated a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier this season.
Watson is currently considered week-to-week. The Nuggets have their starting five intact, but his absence would significantly limit interim coach David Adelman’s lineup flexibility. A series against the Timberwolves becomes much more difficult without him and places added pressure on Cam Johnson.
It would make a huge difference if Watson can return by Game 3, even in a limited role of around 15 minutes.
Ayo Dosunmu, Timberwolves
Minnesota pulled off a masterstroke by landing Ayo Dosunmu without giving up a first-round pick. Dosunmu plays harassing defense on the perimeter, shot over 40% from three in the regular season, and can create his own offense when needed.
He’ll be tasked with guarding Jamal Murray in the first round, and will need to be consistently relentless.
Offensively, with multiple 20-point games during the regular season, Dosunmu’s shooting will help keep Denver honest, which is critical for a Minnesota team that can get bogged down in the halfcourt.
Neemias Queta, Celtics
Queta is a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate. Advanced metrics place him among the NBA’s top defenders, and he’s been highly efficient at the rim.
The playoffs, however, are a different test. Opponents will target him defensively, and foul trouble carries far more weight in a series than it does in a single game.
If Queta maintains his regular-season level, the Celtics are the clear favorite in the East. If not, he’s the biggest question mark in their rotation.
Rui Hachimura, Lakers
Los Angeles needs major offensive help with Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić out indefinitely. Their only path to a competitive series against the Rockets likely requires LeBron James to carry the offense and elevate those around him.
One of those players has to be Hachimura. He averaged 14.8 points and shot 48.4% from three in last year’s playoffs, and could be in line for 15+ shots per game.
LeBron can’t carry the offense alone, and Hachimura is the biggest swing piece, but asking him to jump from a fourth option to a true No. 2 is a major leap.
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