SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Golden State Warriors made it clear what they thought of Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis’ shooting throughout a first-round playoff series that concluded with last Sunday’s Game 7 loss.

“This has been a painful first half for Domantas Sabonis,” the TNT commentary said.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – On the short walk from the interview room at FedExForum to the visiting locker room, Rui Hachimura reviewed his mental catalog of career highlights.

For Domantas Sabonis, basketball has long been it.

Gonzaga’s nine-man contingent in the NBA this season is down to two healthy players involved in the Western Conference playoffs. Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings became one of the feel-good stories in the NBA, not only snapping the longest playoff drought in league history but the longest active drought in the four major professional sports. The seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who acquired Rui Hachimura from Washington in January, face No. 8 Minnesota in the play-in tournament.

DALLAS – On paper, the Utah Jazz are the fifth different team Kelly Olynyk has suited up for since being drafted 13th overall by Dallas in the 2013 NBA draft. However, the affable Gonzaga product, who had his number retired by the Zags in 2022, is quick to point out that calling him an NBA journeyman is a bit misleading.

Rick Carlisle knows the Indiana Pacers got a steal when they drafted Andrew Nembhard early in the second round (31st overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft because the entire organization knew Nembhard, who played his final two collegiate seasons at Gonzaga, was undoubtedly a first-round talent.

DALLAS – Zach Collins is in his second season with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, and the former Gonzaga big man has made a strong impression on longtime Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s winningest coach who will go into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.

Being traded is a first for Rui Hachimura in his NBA career, so it’s understandable the ex-Gonzaga star is still trying to find a sustained role with the Los Angeles Lakers.