The NBA Playoffs Are Set, And The Brotherhood Is Well Represented

TL;DR

The NBA playoffs are set, with the Charlotte Hornets eliminated by the Orlando Magic. Notably, the playoffs feature a strong representation of former Duke players across multiple teams.

Key points

Charlotte Hornets eliminated by Orlando Magic
Kon Knueppel set rookie record for three-point shots
Multiple teams feature former Duke players in playoffs

Charlotte HornetsOrlando MagicPhoenix SunsGolden State Warriors

Apr 17, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) passes in front of Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the second quarter during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images Charlotte’s loss to Orlando ended one of the most fun NBA seasons for the franchise since the days of Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson, and Muggsy Bogues. Kon Knueppel was responsible for a lot of the cultural change that the Hornets saw this year, and he smashed the rookie record for three-point shots with 273, which also led the entire NBA. No rookie had ever done this before. It would have been fun to see Knueppel and his Duke teammate Sion James continue the lovefest, but Orlando knocked them out of the NBA’s play-in tournament, 121-90. However, while Knueppel and James and the Hornets are out, Paolo Banchero and will move on to play Trajan Langdon’s . And in the other play-in game, the , featuring , , and , knocked out Mike Dunleavy’s , 111-96. So now the playoffs begin, and the Brotherhood is well represented. How well represented? In the East, five teams have former Blue Devils, and in the West, there are five as well, so with 16 teams in, the odds are reasonably good that a member (or members) of the Brotherhood will get a ring this June. The odds get a bit better when you see that , , and are included in the list below:

Q&A

Which teams are represented by former Duke players in the NBA playoffs 2026?

In the NBA playoffs 2026, former Duke players are represented on teams like Orlando, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, San Antonio, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, Atlanta, Boston, and Philadelphia.

What record did Kon Knueppel set during the NBA season?

Kon Knueppel set the rookie record for three-point shots with 273, leading the entire NBA in this category.

What was the outcome of the play-in game between the Hornets and the Magic?

The Charlotte Hornets lost to the Orlando Magic in the play-in game with a score of 121-90, eliminating them from the playoffs.