From Luka Doncic to Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr. and Deandre Ayton, the talented 2018 NBA draft class has several players performing at a high level in this year’s postseason.

The 1984 class is legendary. MJ. Dream. Sir Charles. John Stockton.

The 1996 class is iconic. Kobe. A.I. Nash. Ray Allen.

The 2003 class influenced today’s generation. LeBron. D-Wade. Melo. Chris Bosh.

The 2018 class isn’t among those greats, yet, but has players making a major statement in this year’s playoffs.

Luka. Trae. Ayton. Michael Porter Jr.

“It’s amazing to see those guys have success in the playoffs,” said Luka Doncic after posting 42 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds in leading the Dallas Mavericks to an 105-100 Game 5 win Tuesday in Los Angeles over the Clippers.

“I watch these games every chance I get and follow them close. It’s amazing to see guys from my draft class play great and win in the playoffs.”

Just talking about how they’re performing in the postseason has top overall pick Deandre Ayton saying 2018 is the “best class” ever.

“It’s a lot of us man,” Ayton said. “And there’s still more to go. Still more of our guys to go in this class to reach their potential, but guys like Luka, MPJ and Trae, it’s been great to watch us young guys go at it. We’re not backing down. It’s the new generation of the league.”

Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter is with the Phoenix Suns big man on that. 

Just needs to let that proclamation marinate for a couple of decades. 

“I don’t completely disagree with Deandre,” Huerter said. Probably got to wait 20 more years to fully make that call.”

What can’t be denied is how well players from the 2018 class are performing in the playoffs with several of them having never played in the postseason until now. 

“You’ve just seen a lot of impact guys, a lot of guys that have played big minutes for teams,” Huerter said. “I feel like a lot of us, it’s our first time getting to the playoffs and everyone is ready for the moment. The stage hasn’t been too bright and guys have played well with having this be their first time around.” 

Young was neon in leading Atlanta past the New York Knicks as he capped the Game 5 clincher with a 31-footer and bow to the Madison Square Garden crowd.

The fans booed and harassed Young with one disgracefully spitting on him in Game 2, but neither them, nor the Knicks, could stop the fearless 22-year-old.

“I did it in high school after I hit a game winner” Young said about the bow. “Leading up to this game, I know where we are. I know it’s a bunch of shows around this city and I know what they do when a show is over.”  

Ayton had a monster start to his first series that ended with the Suns stunning the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers while Porter Jr., who probably goes top five in 2018 without the injury concerns, hit the game winner over Portland in Game 5.

“It’s everything we as players work for, to be in these moments,” Porter said after the game. “I’ve just got to be grateful for these moments. Take a step back and really realize how big these moments are for me and the team.”

Porter followed that up with a 22-point first quarter Thursday, hitting 6-of-7 3-pointers, in helping the Denver Nuggets close out the Blazers.

“I love seeing Michael so aggressive,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Michael is only going get better than he already is.”

Then there’s Doncic.

Playing through a neck injury, the Slovenian has been sensational as he leads fifth-seeded Dallas into a decisive Game 7 Sunday in Los Angeles.

“Luka Doncic is one of the toughest players I’ve ever seen, ever been around,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 5. “He’s just a warrior-type guy that happens to be one of the very best players in the world.”

Those four aren’t the only ones from the 2018 class making postseason noise.

Mikal Bridges guarded LeBron James and shot 39.5% from 3 while Huerter knocked down 45.3% of his 3s and defended Derrick Rose in a 4-1 series victory.

The Memphis Grizzlies had three players from the 2018 class – Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Anthony Melton and Grayson Allen – contribute in their first round series to the top overall seed Utah Jazz while Bruce Brown Jr. is doing the dirty work for the Brooklyn Nets, who open their conference semifinals series Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Like Ayton, Young, Bridges and Huerter, Jackson Jr., Melton and Brown Jr. made their playoff debuts this year.

“We’re pretty heavy loaded from top to bottom,” Bridges said. “Starting with the first pick to the second round to the undrafted. I just know this is a hell of a class.”  

Here’s a breakdown of best postseason performances from this 2018 class.

Top 5

1. Luka Doncic (Mavs)

Draft pick: 3rd overall (Slovenia).

2021 playoff numbers: 34 ppg., 47.3% FG, 37.4% 3PT, 9.7 apg., 8.0 rpg.

• Game 1 (W, 113-103), 31 points (5-of-11 from 3), 10 rebounds, 11 assists.
• Game 2 (W, 127-121), 39 points (5-of-13 from 3), seven rebounds, seven assists.
• Game 3 (L, 118-108), 44 points (7-of-14 from 3), nine rebounds, nine assists.
• Game 4 (L, 106-81), 19 points (1-of-7 from 3), six rebounds, six assists.
• Game 5 (W, 105-100), 42 points (6-of-12 from 3), eight rebounds, 14 assists.  
• Game 6 (L, 104-97), 29 points (2-of-11 from 3), eight rebounds, 11 assists.

“He’s just playing unbelievable and he’s got the right guys with him,” Bridges said. “Got my boy JB (Jalen Brunson out of Villanova) with him and everybody else. What we’re seeing now is just unbelievable, but just knowing that he can do that every night.”

2. Trae Young (Hawks)

Draft pick: 5th overall (Oklahoma).

2021 playoff numbers: 29.2 ppg., 44.7% FG, 35.9% 3PT, 9.8 apg.

• Game 1 (W, 107-105) 32 points (1-of-3 from 3), 10 assists.
• Game 2 (L, 101-92), 30 points (4-of-7 from 3), seven assists.
• Game 3 (W, 105-94), 21 points (2-of-6 from 3), 14 assists.
• Game 4 (W, 113-96), 27 points (4-of-14 from 3), nine assists.
• Game 5 (W, 103-89), 36 points (3-of-11 from 3), nine assists.

“He’s the key,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “He’s the guy that establishes our tempo. He’s a fearless player. Every game, he brings it and leaves everything that he has on the floor.”  

3. Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets)

Draft pick: 13th overall (Missouri).

2021 playoff numbers: 18.8 ppg., 50.7% FG, 43.9% 3PT, 6.7 rpg.

• Game 1 (L, 123-109) 25 points (12-of-21 FGs, 1-of-10 3PT) 9 rebounds.
• Game 2 (W, 128-109), 18 points (5-of-13 FGs, 3-of-6 3PT), 4 rebounds.
• Game 3 (W, 120-115), 15 points (5-of-11 FGs, 3-of-5 3PT), 5 rebounds.
• Game 4 (L, 115-95), 3 points (1-of-3 FGs, 1-of-3 3PT), 5 rebounds.
• Game 5 (W, 147-140 2OTs), 26 points (10-of-13 FGs, 3-of-5 3PT), 12 rebounds.
• Game 6 (W, 126-115), 26 points (10-of-19 FGs, 6-of-12 3PT), 5 rebounds.  

“His work ethic is amazing,” Nuggets guard Monte Morris said after Game 5. “He watches a lot of film. He took it upon himself. He was like, we’ve got to do a better job of screening for him and getting him open, but he also took onus. He’s got to be more engaged and he did that.”  

4. Deandre Ayton (Suns)

Draft pick: 1st overall (Arizona).

2021 playoff numbers: 15.8 ppg., 77.6% FG, 10.7 rpg.

• Game 1 (W, 99-90) 21 points (10-of-11 FGs), 16 rebounds.
• Game 2 (L, 109-102) 22 points (11-of-13 FGs), 10 rebounds.
• Game 3 (L, 109-95) 22 points (11-of-15 FGs), 11 rebounds.
• Game 4 (W, 100-92), 14 points (6-of-8 FGs), 17 rebounds.
• Game 5 (W, 115-85), 8 points (2-of-3 FGs), 7 rebounds.
• Game 6 (W, 113-100), 8 points (3-of-4 FGs), 3 rebounds.

“Just staying poised the whole time,” Bridges said. “Knowing that he knows he’s playing really well and just wanting to keep getting better and keep winning and not thinking about himself. He’ll have 20 and whatever, but he’s not thinking about that. He’s just being aggressive and making shots and trying to really do everything on the other end defensively to help us out.”

5. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies)

Draft pick: 4th overall (Michigan State).

2021 playoff numbers: 13.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.2 bpg.

• Game 1 (W, 112-109), 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block.
• Game 2 (L, 141-129), 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block.
• Game 3 (L, 121-111), 9 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block.
• Game 4 (L, 120-113), 21 points, six rebounds.
• Game 5 (L, 126-110), 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks.

“The playoff experience was huge,” said Jackson as he returned from tearing the meniscus in his left knee during last year’s Orlando bubble. “Only got a little taste of it, but at the end of the day, I can use that to build onto next year.”

Unsung heroes

Kevin Huerter (Hawks)

Draft pick: 19th overall (Maryland).

2021 playoff numbers: 9.4 ppg., 49.5% FG, 45.3% 3PT, 1.4 bpg.

• Game 1 (W, 107-105), 8 points (3-of-7 FGs, 1-of-4 3PT), 2 blocks.
• Game 2: (L, 101-92), 10 points (4-of-8 FGs, 1-of-3 3PT), 3 blocks.
• Game 3 (W, 105-94), 10 points (3-of-5 FGs, 3-of-4 3PT), 1 block.
• Game 4 (W, 113-96), 11 points (4-of-7 FGs, 3-of-5 3PT).
• Game 5 (W, 103-89), 8 points (3-of-8 FGs, 2-of-6 3PT), 1 block.

“Just doing a nice job of being a two-way player,” McMillan said. “He has had to guard some of the best guards, wings on the opposing teams. Offensively, just continues to be aggressive with the basketball. Not only looking for his shot, we know he can shoot the ball, but attacking the basket and playing the paint and making decisions with the ball.” 

Mikal Bridges (Suns)

Draft pick: 10th overall (Villanova).

2021 playoff numbers: 9.3 ppg., 39.5% 3PT, 1.5 spg.

• Game 1 (W, 99-90), 10 points (2-of-5 3PT), 2 steals.
• Game 2 (L, 109-102), 6 points (2-of-4 3PT), 1 steal.
• Game 3 (L, 109-95), 6 points (2-of-4 3PT).
• Game 4 (W, 100-92), 11 points (3-of-8 3PT), 1 steal.
• Game 5 (W, 115-85), 13 points (3-of-7 3PT), 3 steals.
• Game 6 (W, 113-100) 10 points (1-of-6 3PT), 2 steals.

“He’s starting to figure it out,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “He’s played with a great deal of force. I think the biggest thing about Mikal is he’s kept his spirit in a good place and when he’s playing with joy, he’s a productive and effective player.”

Role players

Bruce Brown Jr. (Nets)

Draft pick: 42nd overall (Miami).

2021 playoff numbers: 6.8 ppg., 5.6 rpg.

Best game: Game 5 vs. Celtics, (W, 123-109), 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists.

“He’s just got that fearless mentality and it’s great because he really takes advantage of defenses not giving him enough credit,” Nets forward Blake Griffin said. “Time and time again, he finished down low and then on the defensive end, he does a great job. He’s a utility guy. He’s basically played every position for us.”

Grayson Allen (Grizzlies)

Draft pick: 21st overall (Duke).

2021 playoff numbers: 6.4 ppg., 2.6 spg.

Best game: Game 3 vs. Jazz (L, 121-111), 17 points (5-of-8 from 3), 3 rebounds.

“What he did to elevate himself as a really good shooter for us, understanding his role,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Making strides on the defensive end. He had an unbelievable season. A career year for him.”

De’Anthony Melton (Grizzlies)

Draft pick: 46th overall (USC).

2021 playoff numbers: 6.2 ppg., 3.2 rpg.

Best game: Game 4 vs. Jazz (L, 120-113), 15 points (3-of-6 from 3), 5 rebounds, 2 assists.

“Career year for him,” Jenkins said. “Just continuing to establish himself in this league and understanding his role with this team, where he can make an impact.”

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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