D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Gonzaga Well Represented in Conference Finals of NBA Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated May 20, 2025 2:48 PM ET

The quest for an NBA championship is down to just four teams, with the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder and No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves squaring off in the Western Conference finals starting Tuesday at 5:30 PM PT, while the No. 3 New York Knicks and No. 4 Indiana Pacers get underway on Wednesday in the Eastern Conference finals.

For fans of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, there is a 75% chance a former Zag will earn a ring this season, which would be the first for the program since Austin Daye won one as a member of the San Antonio Spurs in 2013-14.

Gonzaga is represented by Chet Holmgren on Oklahoma City, Andrew Nembhard on Indiana, and Anton Watson with New York. While Watson is not currently on the active roster for the Knicks, he is under contract on a two-way deal and would almost certainly be given a ring if New York won its first championship since 1973.

Holmgren appeared in 32 regular season games for OKC, averaging 15 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while shooting 37.9% from the field. He had big moments in the playoffs as well, including a 20 point, 11 rebound, five block performance against Memphis and an 18 point, 16 rebound, three block game against Denver.

Nembhard has once again taken over for Indiana in the playoffs, earning a reputation as a clutch performer after scoring 13 or more points in seven of Indiana's ten playoff games this year. That included a 13 point, 13 assist, seven rebound performance at Cleveland in Game 2 and an 18 point, six assist line in the deciding Game 5.

Watson made nine appearances for the Knicks this year, who claimed him off waivers from Boston late in the season. The 6'8 rookie forward scored eight points with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 22 total minutes with New York, while showcasing his two-way capabilities in a strong debut season in the G-League.

Gonzaga has routinely put talented players in the NBA, including Hall of Famer John Stockton, three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Kelly Olynyk, Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Rui Hachimura, and this year looks quite likely to end with one of Gonzaga's NBA talents winning a ring for the first time in over a decade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: