As the 2026 NBA Playoffs intensify, Marquette fans find themselves clinging to a familiar hope: Tyler Kolek, you're our only chance.

After a whirlwind first round, the field of former Golden Eagles in the postseason has narrowed dramatically. Oso Ighodaro and the Phoenix Suns were swept by Oklahoma City in four games, while Jamal Cain's Orlando Magic staged a valiant comeback from a 3-1 deficit against Detroit—only to see it slip away. The Magic held a 20-point halftime lead in Game 6, then lost by double digits, and followed it up with a 20-point defeat in Game 7. Ouch.

That leaves just one Marquette alum still dancing: Tyler Kolek, and even that word "involved" is doing some heavy lifting.

Kolek's New York Knicks advanced past the Atlanta Hawks in six games, but not without drama. After Atlanta stole Games 2 and 3 by a single point each (107-106 and 109-108), the Knicks flipped a switch. They won the next three games by margins of 16, 29, and a staggering 51 points. Game 6's 140-89 final actually flattered the Hawks—New York led 40-15 after one quarter, 83-36 at halftime, and was up by 61 in the third. It was a statement.

As for Kolek? The former Big East Player of the Year saw just 19 minutes across three games in the first round. Interestingly, those were the three games the Knicks won by the biggest margins. Coincidence? We think head coach Mike Brown might want to give the rookie more run. In his limited action, Kolek averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 assists—nothing flashy, but efficient.

Now, facing the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Kolek is already off to a better start. He's played in Game 1 and dropped eight points, showing flashes of the playmaking that made him a Marquette legend. With the series just getting underway, Golden Eagles fans everywhere are hoping their guy gets more minutes—and makes the most of them.