What is it about recent University of Louisville standouts and the NBA playoffs?

A year after Terry Rozier starred during Boston's playoff run, Montrezl Harrell appears to be doing the same with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Harrell led the Clippers with 26 points during Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers probably won't be playing much longer given their first-round opponent.

But such a performance in the spotlight was a continuation of what has been a breakout season for Harrell, who spent time in the G-League earlier in his career and has continued to pay his dues to approach stardom in the NBA.

Those in Louisville who witnessed Harrell's college career knew was he was capable of producing on the court, but his professional path to this point has largely been as a role player off the bench. In four seasons, he has played in 255 NBA games and started only 23 of them.

So Harrell has done this the hard way. He is earning respect with his consistent effort and all-out approach.

And he has worked to improve statistically each of his four seasons in the NBA, going from 3.6 points per game to 9.7 to 11 and now 16.6 this season.

For the playoffs, Harrell is honoring late rapper Nipsey Hussle with special sneakers. (Harrell, if you didn't know, has a prodigious shoe collection.)

Random note: Harrell is also from the same hometown in North Carolina as NFL running back Todd Gurley.

Social Hour

Oh, and you might have heard about this Sunday:

What We're Reading

Asks Dan Wetzel: Why didn't CBS show a replay of Tiger Woods getting run over by a security guard?

Louisville-area native Justin Thomas had a hole-in-one during Sunday's final round in Augusta.

Major League Baseball has a real and growing problem: A lack of African American players.

Who's in and out of the Kentucky Derby after the final weekend of points races?

Roadster looks to be the choice as Mike Battaglia's Kentucky Derby favorite, so long as he keeps his jockey.

Kentucky's spring football game was Friday night, and it was encouraging for the Cats.

And Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield said he hasn't been surprised by the numbers of transfers lately.

For The Road

If you haven't checked out our photos from Thunder, you should ...

Gentry Estes: 502-582-4205; gestes@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Gentry_Estes. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/gentrye.