A hectic February has seen several former Blue Devils continue to shine for their teams. The Blue Zone takes a look at how Duke products are faring in the NBA with the trade deadline in the rearview:
Kyrie Irving makes an immediate impact on the Mavericks
Kyrie Irving broke headlines after joining Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster trade last week. Despite being dropped into a completely different conference and a new environment, the artful basketball maestro didn’t take long to show the league who he is—one of the most elusive, silky-smooth scorers of the basketball. In his first four games as a Maverick, the Duke product is averaging 28.3 points, seven assists and 4.8 rebounds.
Brandon Ingram enjoys a flaming-hot start to February
There’s no denying that Brandom Ingram is a lethal scorer. The only thing that’s stopped him this season—and for much of his career—is lingering injury issues. After being sidelined for two months due to a toe injury, the North Carolina native is having an impressive return in February. In five games, Ingram is logging 30 points, 5.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Grayson Allen contributes to Buck’s 11-game winning streak
The Milwaukee Bucks have been hunting the Boston Celtics and the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed all year. After early year struggles, it seems like the Bucks have picked up their pace and are ready to give the Celtics a shot for their money. A key player in the team’s success has been former Blue Devil Grayson Allen. Persistent and hard-fighting, Allen has been the team’s starting shooting guard that impacts the game on both ends of the floor. The Jacksonville, Fla., native is second in the Bucks’ 3-point percentage; he is knocking down 40.6% of his looks from long range.
Eye for an eye, a Blue Devil for a Blue Devil
Right before the end of the NBA’s trade deadline, the Los Angeles Clippers traded away their knock-down 3-point shooter Luke Kennard to the Memphis Grizzlies. As much as his contributions from behind the arc have been instrumental to the team’s success, it was time for a change in Los Angeles. Similarly, they addressed their lack of a backup center by acquiring former Duke center Mason Plumlee from the Charlotte Hornets. Sure, they may have given up one Duke product, but it didn’t take too long before they picked up another one.
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