Blue Devils in the Pros: Tatum Dominates Playoffs, Redick Faces Growing Pains, MLB Stars Battle Setbacks
With the NBA Playoffs in full swing and the MLB season hitting its stride, Duke’s finest are making headlines—some for dazzling performances, others for the tough grind of professional sports. The Blue Zone breaks down the latest on former Blue Devils across the leagues:
Jayson Tatum: A Man on a Mission
After last year’s postseason criticism, Jayson Tatum has returned with a vengeance. The Celtics forward looked every bit the champion in their first-round series against the Orlando Magic. Though he struggled from deep and took a seat in Game 2, Tatum bounced back with a monster Game 3: 36 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a block.
Across the series, Tatum averaged an electrifying 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game—ranking third among all playoff scorers and second among those still in contention.
Now, a blockbuster showdown looms. Tatum and the Celtics will face Jalen Brunson and the Knicks—fresh off a six-game takedown of Detroit, sealed by Brunson’s dagger 3-pointer. It’ll be the first playoff clash between the Celtics and Knicks since 2013, and all eyes are on TD Garden as this rivalry reignites.
Griffin Conine: A Promising Start Derailed
Conine opened the season strong for the Marlins, posting a solid .281 batting average and 0.3 WAR in just 64 at-bats. But just as momentum was building, a shoulder injury sent him to the 60-day injured list—and now, after surgery, the team has announced his season is officially over. It’s a tough break for the second-year outfielder, who was beginning to find his rhythm in the majors.
Marcus Stroman: Bronx Blues
Yankees fans are growing restless with Marcus Stroman. The right-hander’s move to New York has been rocky, and now he’s sidelined with knee inflammation. Before the injury, Stroman struggled mightily—allowing 12 earned runs in just 9.1 innings over three starts.
With a June 1 opt-out clause looming, tension is rising in the Bronx. The once-celebrated acquisition is now the subject of heated debate among the fanbase. Will Stroman rebound, or is his time in pinstripes running short?
JJ Redick: A Learning Curve on the Sidelines
Redick’s first playoff run as head coach of the Lakers didn’t go as planned. After a strong regular season that saw L.A. finish third in the West, the team faltered in the postseason, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games—including two uncharacteristic home losses.
Despite Redick’s reputation for revamping the defense (dropping their rating to a respectable 113.8), the team crumbled when it mattered most. In the series, their defensive rating rose to 116.7, and their fourth-quarter offense hit historic lows—just 16.7% of their total points came in the final frame, the worst in NBA playoff history.
Even so, Redick’s inaugural season showed promise. Turning around a storied franchise and making a deep regular season run is no small feat. With the likely return of Luka Doncic and LeBron James next season, the future looks bright for Duke’s all-time leading scorer turned head coach.
From dominance to setbacks, Duke’s presence across the NBA and MLB is as impactful as ever. Whether it’s Tatum lighting up the scoreboard, Redick adjusting to the coaching spotlight, or Conine and Stroman navigating adversity, the Blue Devil spirit continues to leave its mark on the biggest stages in sports.
