Wolverines in the NBA: Two will face off for a playoff bid, five in the postseason already

The regular season is over in the NBA, but several Michigan players will take part in the playoffs and two are in the play-in tournament, still fighting for postseason bids.

Former Michigan guards Caris LeVert (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Chaundee Brown (Atlanta Hawks) will square off Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Cavaliers finished the regular season eighth in the East, but lost to the Brooklyn Nets this week, while the Hawks were ninth but blew out the Charlotte Hornets, 132-103, to advance to this do-or-die situation.

Meanwhile, five former Michigan players know they’re in the playoffs.

Duncan Robinson and the Miami Heat secured the No. 1 seed in the East and will face the winner of Cleveland and Atlanta (Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on TNT). Fellow former Michigan sharpshooter Nik Stauskas and the Boston Celtics locked up the No. 2 seed in the East and get the seventh-seeded Brooklyn Nets in the first round (Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC). The Nets were the preseason favorite to win The Finals, but have underachieved so far this season.

Former Michigan guard Jordan Poole and his Golden State Warriors are a contender in the West, with the No. 3 seed and an upcoming matchup against the sixth-seeded Denver Nuggets. Warriors star Steph Curry has been out with since March 16 a foot injury but, according to reports, is optimistic he can play Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET on ABC). Poole — a candidate for the Most Improved Player award — has stepped up in his absence and helped keep the backcourt afloat.

Two former Michigan guards — Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. — saw their team nab the No. 4 seed in the West. They’ll play the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz in the NBA playoffs’ opening game — Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Here’s a look at the statistics for each Michigan player in the NBA, including final stats for those who are eliminated.

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Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic

Finished his third professional season by appearing in 42 games with one start for the 22-60 Magic … Averaged five points and 1.7 rebounds per outing, while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range.

Chaundee Brown (2020-21), G, Atlanta Hawks

The former Wake Forest transfer and Michigan guard spent most of his rookie season in the G League, but got some time with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the season (two appearances) and was eventually signed to a two-way contract by the Atlanta Hawks April 9 … Started two games in his three appearances with his new team, averaging 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing … The Hawks will play the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight for a spot in the NBA Playoffs.

Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

The former Michigan guard made 42 appearances off the bench for the 52-30 Mavericks, who hold the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs … Posted 5.1 points and 1.4 assists per tilt, while connecting on 39.1 percent of his overall shots and 31.7 percent of his triple tries.

Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

The former Michigan guard suffered a foot injury Jan. 25 and had surgery … No timetable for the former Michigan guard’s return … Started 20 of his 42 games for the 52-30 Mavericks … Averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per outing, while connecting on 39.4 percent of his overall looks and 33.6 percent of his triple tries.

“I’ll say this: The further we go [in the playoffs], the better chance I have,” Hardaway told the Dallas Morning News recently. “That’s the answer I’ll give.”

Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers

The former Michigan standout started 10 of his 19 games for the Cavaliers, who are in the play-in tournament fighting for a playoff spot (7:30 p.m. ET tonight vs. the Atlanta Hawks), after being traded from the Indiana Pacers … Registers 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per clash, while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc for the Cavaliers.

Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons

Started five of his 19 games for the 23-59 Pistons, averaging 20.2 minutes per game … Recorded 6.4 points, three rebounds and 1.1 assists … Shot 45.6 percent from the field and 42.2 percent on three-pointers.

Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors

The former Michigan guard opened 51 of his 76 games and averaged 30 minutes per contest for the 53-29 Warriors, who locked up the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will take on the sixth-seeded Denver Nuggets … Averaging 18.5 points, four assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting career-highs from the field (44.8 percent) and long range (36.4 percent) … Scored 20 or more points in 18 of his final 20 regular-season games … Led the entire NBA in free throw percentage (92.48).

Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat

The former Michigan sharpshooter 68 of his 79 appearances for the 53-29 Heat, who are the No. 1 seed in the East and will take on the winner of Cleveland and Atlanta in the first round … Averaging 10.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per outing, while connecting on 39.9 percent of his overall looks and 37.2 percent of his triple tries.

Zavier Simpson (2016-20), G, Oklahoma City Thunder

The former Michigan point guard saw action in four games at the end of the regular season for the 24-48 Thunder, averaging 43.5 minutes per contest after signing a 10-day contract … Registered 11 points, 7.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per tilt, and shot 36.5 percent from the field.

Nik Stauskas (2012-14), G, Boston Celtics

Played in six games after being signed by the 51-32 Celtics, who will face the seventh-seeded Nets in a first-round Eastern Conference playoff series … Averages 1.2 points per contest … Hasn’t played since March 23.

Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic

The former Michigan wing opened 79 games for the 22-60 Magic … Averaged 15.2 points (second on team), 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per outing … Shot 46.8 percent overall and 35.4 percent from three-point range (higher than his 34.3 three-point shooting clip during his sophomore season at Michigan).

Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic

Started three of his 63 games for the 22-60 Magic … Averaged nine points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per tilt, while connecting on 49.7 percent of his overall shot attempts and 32.8 percent of his three-pointers.