We all expect Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama to dominate headlines during the NBA Playoffs. Just a step below those superstars are some big time Euros that could make a big impact in the post-season. From Sandro Mamukelashvili through Neemias Queta and Zaccharie Risacher, Emmet Ryan breaks down the players who can gain real traction in the post-season.
It’s the busiest part of the basketball season. While our core focus remains on what’s happening on this side of the Atlantic, a bunch of ballers from Europe are taking part in the NBA Playoffs.
With that in mind, we’ll have a few articles over the coming days looking ahead to the playoffs proper over there (not the play-in) where we’ll break down the outlook for players from Europe in the NBA postseason.
Today we start with those outside of the superstar grade but still likely to feature prominently in the NBA Playoffs. If we’ve left someone out of this one they are (a)a superstar (b)injured (c)not in the playoffs proper yet, or (d) not likely to get big minutes.
Breakthrough potential
The three players here are those mentioned at the very top. Sandro Mamukelashvili, Neemias Queta, and Zaccharie Risacher, as well as Deni Avdija. Starting with the youngest of this group, Risacher has the toughest match-up situation.
It’s going to take an awful lot for the Atlanta Hawks to be competitive in their series with the New York Knicks. Frankly, getting a top six finish was already overachieving to a degree. Risacher also had the most expectations of all four entering the NBA. Still a par performance or better here will serve him well.
For Avdija, it’s a weird one as frankly he’s already had the breakthrough with his regular season in Portland. Anything the Trailblazers do from here is gravy for him. That leaves the old young guns of Queta and Mamu. In both cases, they’re in favourable series stylistically where both could shine well. A solid start could seriously add to the stock of both as they enter their peak years.
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Established and effective
There are two players who fit in this category. It’s hard to believe that Isaiah Hartenstein is still only 27. He has been gloriously functional for the OKC Thunder. Functional is good. Frankly, it’s great for the Thunder right now. The German big had his share of injuries this season but is pretty much at full health for this playoff tilt.
The other is Jakob Poetl, who is a far more believable 30 years of age. The Austrian big is getting the job done for the Toronto Raptors with career highs this season in minutes, points, rebounds, and steals.
Match-up wise, well it’s a bit different in each case. Hartenstein is on a Thunder team that expects to win it all. For Poetl and the Raptors, any progress in the NBA playoffs would be great. They have a winnable series to start things.
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Autumnal contributors
Jonas Valanciunas (Denver Nuggets) and Nikola Vucevic (Boston Celtics) are each a lot nearer the ends of their careers than the start. In both cases, their roles and comfort in them will matter substantially.
With Valanciunas, his bench role behind Nikola Jokic is one he has slotted into neatly. Granted, the minutes in the regular season were lighter than ideal considering what was wanted of him. Still, he’s got the attitude to adapt as was witnessed during EuroBasket 2025. It also doesn’t hurt that he’ll be happy to skip the play-in and go straight to the NBA Playoffs for once.
As for Vooch, it’s really hard to say. Everything about him says his heart is definitely in it for this playoff push. Despite his lengthy career, this is only his fifth time in the playoffs. Even with a reduced role in Boston, you’ve got to think Vucevic wants to help cement one big run.
Rudy Gobert
Honestly I don’t know where else to put him. He’s important and going up against both Valanciunas and Jokic in the first series. Is he still a superstar? I mean, even though he’s far from beloved, the man is walking into the Hall of Fame when he retires.
He’s had some of his best numbers ever with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season despite them slipping to the 6th seed. It’s just a weird one to call. I fully expect him to be a big factor. I just don’t know where to put him in our columns. So, Rudy can do big things. There, that’s it.