NBA Player News

Gafford will miss a third straight game, though this time, it’s due to rest. Marvin Bagley III should be in line for another start. He enters this game having scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games.

With the Knicks continuing to struggle offensively in Las Vegas, Akins did his best to provide a spark off the bench. Not only did he lead all scorers with 21 points, but the undrafted wing out of Michigan State was one of two Knicks in double figures. Having spent last season in the G League, Akins is looking to earn either an Exhibit 10 contract or a two-way deal. Thursday’s performance is a step in the right direction, and the Knicks will play once more before heading home.

After shooting 1-of-7 from beyond the arc in Tuesday’s loss to the Grizzlies, Cryer rebounded nicely to help the Warriors keep their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals alive. He shot 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, leading five Warriors in double figures with 17 points. Unlike first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg (3/6/6/1/2 with one three-pointer), Cryer’s status for next season is not secure. He’s still on a two-way deal, but if the Warriors stay healthy, Cryer’s role is unlikely to match what it was last season.

Wilson may have shot the ball reasonably well on Thursday, but this was his worst showing in Las Vegas by some distance. More damaging than the 1-of-6 day from beyond the arc was the turnover count, as the lottery pick was responsible for eight. Wilson has said he does not plan to sit at all, but the Bulls will have nothing to play for in their fifth and final game. And his absence could create opportunities for fellow first-round pick Dailyn Swain (four points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal), who has struggled throughout Chicago’s time in Las Vegas.

Chicago’s Caleb Wilson had the better individual game, but Carr was part of the team that won Thursday’s matchup by a 105-82 final score. The 24th overall pick in last month’s draft has looked ready to contribute immediately for the Lakers, and there is never not a need for capable 3-and-D wings in today’s NBA. With the Lakers now 4-0 and headed to the semifinals, it’s unlikely that Carr gets shut down for Saturday’s game. If they get to the final on Sunday, good luck getting him to sit down.

With the Heat summer league team as a free agent, Keels has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee and will not play again this week. While his absence won’t impact fantasy basketball for next season, the former second-round pick loses out on opportunities to further prove himself worthy of a training camp invitation at a minimum.

Having appeared in nine total NBA games in his first two professional seasons, Newton is looking to use summer league as a springboard into a greater opportunity in 2025-26. The former UConn standout put up 20 points on good shooting numbers on Thursday, and the victory may be enough to push Houston into Saturday’s semifinals. Newton is unlikely to be in a position where he can offer reliable fantasy value once the season begins. Still, a good finish to the summer could ensure him a longer look from Rockets decision-makers.

Thornton continues to perform well in Las Vegas, and his effort on Thursday may have pushed the Rockets into Saturday’s semifinals. Houston will have to wait for results from other games to know for sure, but their point differential may be high enough. Thornton is a winning player, and the ability to fill a stat line is another reason why fantasy managers in deep leagues should be mindful of the rookie. Of course, Houston’s point guard options will include a healthy Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard and offseason signing Marcus Smart, so it won’t be easy for Thornton to crack Ime Udoka’s rotation. But his play in Las Vegas is a reminder of what the second-round pick is capable of.

If Thursday’s game was the last for Brown in Las Vegas, he’ll head home with a sour taste in his mouth. The rookie guard shot 2-of-10 from beyond the arc and was 1-of-5 from two, as he struggled at times with Houston’s physical perimeter defense. However, given the time he missed during his lone college season due to a back injury, Brown’s ability to play starters’ minutes this summer is a positive. With Ben Saraf struggling in summer play and Nolan Traoré unavailable due to injury, Brown should go into training camp with a legitimate chance of earning significant playing time, if not the starting point guard role.

Thursday’s defeat likely ended the Nets’ chances of earning a spot in the Summer League semifinals, so this may have been the last action that Dëmin will see in Las Vegas. Like many of his teammates, the second-year guard got off to a slow start before helping the Nets mount a rally early in the fourth quarter. Dëmin shot 5-of-16 from deep against the Rockets, but the increased comfort with the perimeter shot makes him a player worth grabbing in the latter rounds of drafts in the fall. Of the four 2025 first-round picks who were active for the Nets this summer, Dëmin was the best performer by a significant distance.

While the combination of his two-way contract and Oklahoma City’s wing depth will make it challenging for Barnhizer to earn consistent rotation minutes, there may be opportunities throughout the season. As an example, he appeared in 40 NBA games as a rookie, with Jalen Williams’ injuries being a factor. Barnhizer finished Thursday’s defeat with an impressive double-double and five assists, making a positive impression on team decision-makers. At best, Barnhizer is someone to stash in deep dynasty leagues, but there may be the occasional moment of streaming relevance in redraft leagues.