GALLERY: Arkansas natives, former Hogs square off in 2025 NBA Playoffs

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat won in overtime against the Atlanta Hawks to solidify the brackets for the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Though Natural State native and Razorback alumni Daniel Gafford’s Mavericks were eliminated, there are still several Arkansans and former Hogs competing in this year’s race to the championship.

A Pair of Hogs

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) looks to score between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) and forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 7, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) shoots in front of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Stanley Umude, left, dribbles around Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

All season the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on fire, finishing as the 1-seed in the Western Conference with a league-best 68-14 record. The team’s roster features a pair of players, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams, who are both former Hogs and also went to the same high school in Fort Smith.

In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks enter as the 5-seed and will take on the 4-seed Indiana Pacers. Though they are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks also have Bobby Portis and Stanley Umude, a pair of former Razorbacks on their roster.

Natural State Showdown

Arkansas players Anthony Black (0), Jordan Walsh (13), Davonte Davis (4) and Ricky Council IV (1) during a time out against South Dakota State during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) has the ball stopped by Arkansas guard Anthony Black (0) as he drives against guard Jordan Walsh (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Though the 3-seed Los Angeles Lakers are powered by stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Newark native Austin Reaves has been on fire this season, scoring a career-high average of 20 points per game. They take on the 6-seed Minnesota Timberwolves who feature both Fayetteville native Mike Conley on the court and Hog legend Corliss Williamson on the bench as an assistant coach.

In the East, the 2-seed Boston Celtics are the defending champions and will be taking on the 7-seed Orlando Magic in the first round. The matchup features a showdown between a pair of former Hog teammates, Boston’s Jordan Walsh and Orlando’s Anthony Black.

North Little Rock Alumni

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) celebrates a dunk by Moses Moody (4) against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) reacts after dunking against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, center, goes to the basket as Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) and center Bam Adebayo (13) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots and is fouled by Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

In the NBA this season, there were three former players from North Little Rock High School on rosters. Though Nick Smith Jr.’s Charlotte Hornets didn’t make it to the playoffs, two other former Charging Wildcats will still be competing for a title.

The 7-seed Golden State Warriors and Moses Moody will be taking on the 2-seed Houston Rockets and Kel’el Ware’s Miami Heat will be taking on the 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers.

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