Wolverines in the NBA: Duncan Robinson gets into it with Jaylen Brown, Franz Wagner posts back-to-back 30-plus point outings
Former Michigan Wolverines basketball standout Duncan Robinson was a centerpiece in one of the biggest storylines of the NBA Sunday (Feb. 11), with the Miami Heat sharpshooter and Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown were tangled up in the fourth quarter of a relatively close game.
Robinson fouled Brown on the wing, and the two players’ arms were tied up. Brown then flung his right arm forward, shoving Robinson to the ground near the sideline in the process. It was ruled a flagrant foul penalty 1 on Brown. Tensions rose after the call was made, with both teams exchanging words before the free throws, and there were some heated conversations after the game, too, with the Celtics winning 110-106 in Miami.
In his postgame media availability, Robinson called Brown’s play “dirty,” and added that it was “dangerous, unnecessary and excessive.” The former Michigan forward had a solid performance in the loss, pouring in 15 points with 3 triples on 8 attempts from deep. Brown finished with 20 points.
Brown gave his side of the story in his postgame press conference.
“There was no issue for me,” he said. “I think he knew exactly what he was trying to do — trying to get tangled up because he didn’t want to play defense. They called the foul, but he was still trying to hang on, so I was trying to get my arm free.
“Miami’s known for being physical. Miami’s known for getting away with a lot of that stuff, kind of mucking up the game. You know, at the end of the day, you got to protect and own your space. I feel like Duncan Robinson knew what he was doing there, trying to get tangled up, trying to draw whatever. I don’t know what he was trying to do, but I bet you he won’t do it again.”
Elsewhere in the NBA, former Michigan wing Franz Wagner is on a tear. After tying his career high with 38 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons Feb. 4, Wagner posted back-to-back 30-plus point games in a pair of victories — 34 in a 127-111 win over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 8 and 36 in a 114-108 overtime triumph over the Chicago Bulls two nights later. Wagner now has seven 30-plus point showings this season.
“I think I’m having a good rhythm,” Wagner said after the Bulls win. “Just trying to play good basketball, honestly. Just see what’s out there and what the defense is doing to help my team win. A lot of different things are coming together. Maybe stuff at the start of the season, some of the easy ones weren’t falling for me. If you continue to work at some point that stuff is going to work out. You have to continue with the process and stick with it.”
Here’s an update on every former Michigan basketball player in the NBA, specifically highlighting the last week of action.
Kobe Bufkin (played at U-M from 2021-23), G, Atlanta Hawks
Recent games: Saw 16 minutes of action in a 122-113 win over the Houston Rockets Feb. 10, registering 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting (all from three-point range) and 3 rebounds.
Season stats: Was called up for the Feb. 10 game against the Rockets, after being down with the G League’s College Park Skyhawks but missing time with an ankle injury … Appeared in four games with the 24-29 Hawks, totaling 7 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist in 20 minutes … Played in 14 outings for the Skyhawks, averaging 23.6 points, 6 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 32 minutes per game.
Moussa Diabate (2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clippers
Season stats: Hasn’t seen time in the NBA since Jan. 1 … Appeared in 10 contests, averaging 2.7 points and 2 rebounds per night for the 35-16 Clippers … Played in five G League outings for the Ontario Clippers, averaging 10.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Tim Hardaway Jr., (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Recent games: Posted 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-6 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 assist and a steal in a 146-111 blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder Feb. 10 … Tallied 19 points (7-14 FG, 5-10 3PT), 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a 122-108 triumph over the New York Knicks Feb. 8 … Registered 14 points (4-10 FG, 3-7 3PT, 3-3 FT), 7 rebounds and 3 assists in a 119-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets Feb. 6 … Went scoreless on 0-of-8 shooting from the field and contributed 2 rebounds and a block in a 118-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Feb. 5.
Season stats: The former Michigan guard has appeared in 50 games with 10 starts for the 30-23 Mavericks, averaging 17.7 points (fourth on the team), 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per clash … Shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range.
Caleb Houstan (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Played in two games last week, notching 3 minutes in each of them, a 121-95 loss to the Miami Heat Feb. 6 and a 127-111 win over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 8 … Made a three in the game against the Spurs.
Season stats: The former Michigan wing has seen action in 38 games with seven starts, registering 4.8 points and 1.6 rebound in 14.9 minutes per outing for the 29-24 Magic … Shooting 38.4 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Jett Howard (2022-23), G, Orlando Magic
Season stats: Hasn’t played in an NBA game since Jan. 21 … Played in 11 games for the Magic, averaging 3.8 minutes per and totaling 20 points (on 7-of-19 shooting from the field), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block … Competed in 15 G League games with the Osceola Magic, posting 20.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per night.
Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Recent games: The former Michigan guard tallied 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3PT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block in a 119-95 win over the Toronto Raptors Feb. 10 … Registered 4 points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3)T), 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal in a 118-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets Feb. 8 … Notched 4 points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3PT), 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114-106 win over the Washington Wizards Feb. 7 … Poured in 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-4 4PT, 2-4 FT), 6 rebounds and 7 assists in a 136-110 win over the Sacramento Kings Feb. 5.
Season stats: Appeared in 41 games with one start, averaging 14.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from long range for the 35-16 Cavaliers.
Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Washington Wizards
Season stats: The former Michigan forward was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Washington Wizards Jan. 14 and has yet to play for his new team … Currently out with a hip injury … Appeared in 23 contests with the 8-44 Pistons, averaging 5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, while shooting 34.5 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three-point range.
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Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Washington Wizards
Recent games: Posted 11 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 4PT, 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a 119-113 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers Feb. 10 … Registered 19 points (7-19 FG, 3-10 3PT, 2-3 FT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in a 133-129 setback to the Boston Celtics Feb. 9 … Went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting from the field, adding 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal in a 114-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Feb. 7.
Season stats: The former Michigan guard has started all 50 games for the 9-43 Wizards, averaging 15.8 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game, while connecting on 40.4 percent of his shots from the field and 30 percent of his three-point attempts.
Duncan Robinson (2013-17), F, Miami Heat
Recent games: Registered 15 points (5-11 FG, 3-8 3PT, 2-2 FT), 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a 110-106 loss to the Boston Celtics Feb. 11 … Put up 6 points (1-6 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-3 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a 116-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 7 … Recorded 9 points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 block in a 121-95 win over the Orlando Magic Feb. 6
Season stats: The former Michigan sharpshooter has played in 48 games with 17 starts for the 28-25 Heat, registering 13 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.3 minutes per outing … Shooting 45 percent from the field, including 39.7 percent from three-point distance.
Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic
Recent games: The former Michigan wing exploded for 36 points (12-22 FG, 5-12 3PT, 7-10 FT), 3 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114-108 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls Feb. 10 … Posted 34 points (13-17 FG, 3-4 3PT, 5-5 FT), 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks in a 127-111 win over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 8 … Recorded 13 points (5-15 FG, 107 3PT, 2-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of steals in a 121-95 setback to the Miami Heat Feb. 6.
Season stats: Appeared in 45 games, starting all of them, for the 29-24 Magic, averaging 21.2 points (second on the team behind Paolo Banchero at 22.8), 5.6 rebounds (fourth) and 4.1 assists (second) per clash, while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from deep.
Moritz Wagner (2015-17), F/C, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Tallied 7 points (3-3 FG, 1-1 3PT) and 1 rebound in a 114-108 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls Feb. 10 … Posted 11 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-3 FT), 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a 127-111 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 8 … Scored 3 points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-2 FT) and added 3 rebounds and a block in a 121-95 loss to the Miami Heat Feb. 6.
Season stats: The former Michigan big man has appeared in 51 games with one start, averaging 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.6 minutes per outing … Shooting a career-best 58.5 percent from the field and 32.9 percent on three-pointers.
Michigan Wolverines in the NBA G League
• Zak Irvin (2013-17), G, Grand Rapids Gold: Played in 16 games … Averaging 9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per outing, while shooting 52.5 percent overall and just 14.3 percent on threes.
• Glenn Robinson III, F, 2012-14, Wisconsin Herd: Appeared in 17 clashes, registering 9.7 points, 4.1 rebound and 1.8 assists per game and shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from long range.
• Zavier Simpson (2016-20), G, Motor City Cruise: Competed in 18 games, averaging 20.9 points, 8.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds per night … Shooting 51 percent overall and 52.5 percent from three with 1.7 made triples per game.
• D.J. Wilson (2014-17), F, Osceola Magic: Recording 20.7 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists per clash, while connecting on 58 percent of his field goal attempts and 40.5 percent of his tries from deep with 1.8 made threes per game.
