In his eighth NBA season, Buddy Hield has finally reached the NBA playoffs after playing a total of 86 games this season. Hield was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers from the Indiana Pacers during the trade deadline week in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Furkan Korkmaz, and second-round picks. This trade led to Hield playing more games than the usual 82-game season, as Philadelphia's post-trade schedule included two additional games compared to Indiana's.
Although officially credited with playing 84 games, which is tied for the 11th most in NBA history and the most in nearly 20 years, this count did not include the in-season tournament title game in December as the league had decided it wouldn't count in the standings. Additionally, the play-in games were not considered either regular or postseason games, but Hield participated in both.
Hield's durability throughout his NBA career is evident, having played 632 out of a possible 638 NBA games, the most in the league during that span. His consistency on the court has been remarkable, with Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes coming in second at 604 games played.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Hield expressed his excitement at finally getting a chance to compete in the postseason and play alongside his teammates. Despite being the seven seed, Hield believes that the team has the potential to compete for a championship and is prepared to give their best effort.
When asked about his motivation to play every game, Hield highlighted his desire to represent his native Bahamas and provide an entertaining experience for fans who come to watch him play. He emphasized the importance of inspiring young fans who support him and expressed his commitment to giving his all on the court.
