The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Eight former Longhorns set for 2025 NBA Playoffs
04.14.2025 | Men's Basketball
Allen, Hayes, Jones, Joseph, Sims, Thompson, Tucker and Turner on playoff rosters.
AUSTIN, Texas — A total of eight former University of Texas men's basketball players will be involved in the upcoming 2025 NBA Playoffs. Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Kai Jones (Dallas Mavericks), Cory Joseph (Orlando Magic), Jericho Sims (Milwaukee Bucks), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), P.J. Tucker (New York Knicks) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers) are all on their team's active postseason rosters.
Joseph (Magic) and Jones (Mavericks) will compete in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament which will take place April 15-18 (Tuesday-Friday). The 2025 NBA Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 19.
A 2022 NBA All-Star selection, Allen is completing his fifth season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and eighth year overall in the NBA. In 82 games played during the regular season, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 28.0 minutes per contest while hitting 70.6-percent from the field and 71.8-percent from the free throw line. Cleveland posted a 64-18 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Hayes is in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers and sixth year in the NBA. In 56 games played during the regular season, he averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes per contest while hitting 72.2-percent from the field. The Lakers claimed the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and will face the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Jones joined the Dallas Mavericks in early March on a two-way contract and is in his third year overall in the NBA. In 11 games (six starts) with Dallas this spring, he averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per contest while hitting 84.8-percent from the floor. The Mavericks claimed the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and will face the No. 9 seed Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday, April 16 at 9 p.m. Central on ESPN.
Joseph is completing his first season with the Orlando Magic and his 14th season in the NBA. In 50 games played during the regular season, he averaged 3.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 12.2 minutes per contest while hitting 36.4-percent from three-point range and 77.8-percent from the free throw line. The Magic earned the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will host the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. Central on TNT.
Sims joined the Milwaukee Bucks in early February and is completing his fourth year in the NBA. In 14 games played with Milwaukee this spring, he averaged 1.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per contest while hitting 63.4-percent from the field. Milwaukee earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
A member of the 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers, Thompson is in his 11th season with the Cavaliers and his 13th year overall in the NBA. In 40 games played during the regular season, he averaged 1.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game. Cleveland posted a 64-18 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
An NBA Champion with the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, Tucker joined the New York Knicks in March and is completing is in his 14th season overall in the NBA. In three games (one start) with the Knicks this spring, he averaged 3.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game. New York claimed the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Turner is completing his 10th season in the NBA, all with the Indiana Pacers. In 72 games played during the regular season, he averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 30.2 minutes per contest while hitting 39.6-percent from three-point range and 77.3-percent from the free throw line. Indiana earned the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
In addition to the eight former Longhorns on NBA playoff rosters, former Texas player Royal Ivey is an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets (No. 2 seed, Western Conference).