The 2026 NBA Conference Finals officially begin tonight, and two former Longhorns have been playing a huge role for their respective teams throughout the entirety of the postseason.
Jarrett Allen (2016) has been a stalwart in the Cleveland Cavaliers' frontcourt for the past six seasons, and he was an incredibly huge reason why the Cavs were able to make it to this point in the playoffs. Despite needing seven games to defeat the Toronto Raptors in the first round, Cleveland relied heavily on Allen in the paint both on offense and defense.
He started the series off slow, but then absolutely dominated the Raptors in game 7. He scored 22 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, blocked 3 shots, and got 2 steals in a game that was defined by each team's ability to grind out points near the basket.
Jarrett Allen DOMINATES, @cavs win Game 7!
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2026
⚔️ 22 PTS
⚔️ 19 REB
⚔️ 3 BLK
⚔️ 2 STL
He is the first player since 2020 (Nikola Jokić) to total 20+ PTS, 15+ REB and 3+ BLK in a Game 7 😮 pic.twitter.com/ArwENeUe6F
Los Angeles Lakers C Jaxson Hayes (2019) hasn't been as productive as Allen as a full-timer, but he's not only one of the best bench big men in this year's playoffs, he's been one of the top bench defenders in the entire league this season.
Yes, he's "only" a rotational player, but the Lakers utilize him heavily when they play the most talented offensive teams. Hayes has been a huge reason why it's been so hard for opponents to consistently score in the paint against J.J. Reddick's Lakers in 2025/2026, and he's why Los Angeles could end up going deep into the playoffs this year.
JAXSON HAYES ALLEY OOP SLAM 🔥🔥
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 25, 2026
LAKERS ARE ROLLING pic.twitter.com/9snF5ZeO1G
Hayes is currently averaging 4.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.2 BPG, and shooting almost 70% from 2PT range in the playoffs, and his defense has been elite since game one against the Rockets.
Now, Jarrett Allen looks to continue his success as the Cavaliers take on Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons tomorrow night. He'll have a tough matchup this round against Pistons' fast-rising C Jalen Duren, but Texas fans are confident that he'll be able to get the job done.
Jaxson Hayes and the Lakers will be taking on the OKC Thunder tomorrow night as well, where Hayes will be tasked with guarding the likes of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
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