TEMPE - Throughout the NBA Regular Season, Sun Devil Men's Basketball had a significant presence within the league.
With the 2022-23 season now in the books, it's time to take a look back at what kind of impact the products of Arizona State had at the highest level of professional basketball. James Harden put together another elite season for the Philadelphia 76ers while Lu Dort continued his rise with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here is more information on their seasons in the NBA.
NBA PLAYOFFS
Maroon & Gold will be visible during the 2023 NBA Playoffs, as both James Harden and Lu Dort will compete in the postseason.
James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers are the No. 3 seed in the East after finishing with a 54-28 record. They will have home-court advantage when they take on the No. 6 seed Brooklyn Nets in a series that starts Saturday at 10 AM MST on ESPN. Harden has now made the NBA Playoffs in all 14 seasons he has been in the league. This is the seventh season in which a team led by Harden won 67% of their games or more he played in.
Lu Dort and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the No. 10 seed and will attempt to earn their way into the NBA Playoffs with a win over the No. 9 seed New Orleans Pelicans. If Dort and the Thunder were to win the game tonight on ESPN at 6:30 PM MST, they would advance to take on the No. 8 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in another play-in game with the No. 8 seed on the line. Dort is no stranger to the postseason, as he enjoyed a breakout performance with the Thunder in the first round series against the Houston Rockets back in 2020.
JAMES HARDEN SEASON IN REVIEW
James Harden had yet another historical season, as he paced the NBA in assists per game for the second time. He averaged an incredible 10.7 assist per game while also putting up 21.0 points per game. He becomes only the second player in NBA History to lead the league in scoring and assists twice in a career (Russell Westbrook). Harden also added 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and shot 87% from the free-throw line. He was a big reason why teammate Joel Embiid won the scoring title averaging 33.1 points per game. This is the third consecutive season he has averaged 10 or more assists, the only player in the NBA to accomplish the feat in that span.
LU DORT SEASON IN REVIEW
Lu Dort continued to earn the respect of his peers, emerging as arguably the top defender in the NBA. In fact, if you as Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard - who was third in the league in scoring averaging 32.2 points per game - there is no better perimeter defender. Dort started 73 games for the Thunder in his fourth season in the league, cementing his status as one of the up-and-coming guards in the league. At only 23 years old, he averaged 13.7 points per game in a limited offense role, adding a career-high in both rebounds per game (4.6) and assists per game (2.1). Where he did most of his damage was on the defensive end, as he develops a reputation as a lockdown defender.
SUN DEVILS ON SOCIAL
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).
With the 2022-23 season now in the books, it's time to take a look back at what kind of impact the products of Arizona State had at the highest level of professional basketball. James Harden put together another elite season for the Philadelphia 76ers while Lu Dort continued his rise with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here is more information on their seasons in the NBA.
NBA PLAYOFFS
Maroon & Gold will be visible during the 2023 NBA Playoffs, as both James Harden and Lu Dort will compete in the postseason.
James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers are the No. 3 seed in the East after finishing with a 54-28 record. They will have home-court advantage when they take on the No. 6 seed Brooklyn Nets in a series that starts Saturday at 10 AM MST on ESPN. Harden has now made the NBA Playoffs in all 14 seasons he has been in the league. This is the seventh season in which a team led by Harden won 67% of their games or more he played in.
Lu Dort and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the No. 10 seed and will attempt to earn their way into the NBA Playoffs with a win over the No. 9 seed New Orleans Pelicans. If Dort and the Thunder were to win the game tonight on ESPN at 6:30 PM MST, they would advance to take on the No. 8 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in another play-in game with the No. 8 seed on the line. Dort is no stranger to the postseason, as he enjoyed a breakout performance with the Thunder in the first round series against the Houston Rockets back in 2020.
JAMES HARDEN SEASON IN REVIEW
James Harden had yet another historical season, as he paced the NBA in assists per game for the second time. He averaged an incredible 10.7 assist per game while also putting up 21.0 points per game. He becomes only the second player in NBA History to lead the league in scoring and assists twice in a career (Russell Westbrook). Harden also added 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and shot 87% from the free-throw line. He was a big reason why teammate Joel Embiid won the scoring title averaging 33.1 points per game. This is the third consecutive season he has averaged 10 or more assists, the only player in the NBA to accomplish the feat in that span.
1??4?? for 1??4??
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) April 11, 2023
If you have James Harden on your team, you are guaranteed make the playoffs ??
The @SunDevilHoops legend has yet to miss the postseason in his career ??
(?? @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/FI7Pq6sLr2
LU DORT SEASON IN REVIEW
Lu Dort continued to earn the respect of his peers, emerging as arguably the top defender in the NBA. In fact, if you as Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard - who was third in the league in scoring averaging 32.2 points per game - there is no better perimeter defender. Dort started 73 games for the Thunder in his fourth season in the league, cementing his status as one of the up-and-coming guards in the league. At only 23 years old, he averaged 13.7 points per game in a limited offense role, adding a career-high in both rebounds per game (4.6) and assists per game (2.1). Where he did most of his damage was on the defensive end, as he develops a reputation as a lockdown defender.
Dame knows the Deal ??
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) April 11, 2023
Damian Lillard confirming what Coach Hurley has been saying for a while…
No one defends like @luthebeast ??
Tune-in to @ESPNNBA tomorrow at 6:30 MST/9:30 ET to watch the @okcthunder in the play-in game ?? pic.twitter.com/BhcED2iyfo
SUN DEVILS ON SOCIAL
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).