NBA Player News

Bane is a new addition to the Magic injury report, but the good news is that he’s still considered probable to play. If he can’t go, Anthony Black is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, with Tristan da Silva’s minutes also receiving a boost.

After scoring 27 points in his summer league debut on Friday, Thornton produced another solid effort on Saturday. He wasn’t as prolific offensively, but the second-round pick offered value in the rebound, assist and steal categories. Given his age and experience, Thornton is well-equipped to compete for a spot on the back end of the Rockets’ rotation immediately. The issue is the rest of Houston’s perimeter rotation, especially after the signing of Marcus Smart.

The 48th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Lundy has not appeared in an official NBA game since January 24, 2024. An ankle injury ended his rookie campaign, and he has been fighting to get another shot ever since. Lundy came out firing on Saturday, shooting 6-of-9 from beyond the arc to lead the Raptors in scoring. Toronto has an open two-way contract slot; Lundy may be the mix to earn it. If not, Saturday’s performance may help set the stage for him to earn a training camp invite from the Raptors or another team.

With Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin sitting out Saturday’s game, Saraf started at point guard and logged 32 minutes. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, but the second-year guard recorded five assists and earned some trips to the foul line. Saraf’s rookie season was one to forget due to injuries and inconsistent play, and he’ll once again face a lot of competition for rotation minutes when training camp opens in the fall.

After suffering a season-ending ankle injury in March, Wolf struggled in his first few appearances this summer. The Nets must have been pleased with what they saw from the 7-footer on Saturday, as he shot the ball well over 26 minutes. However, Wolf needs to do a better job of taking care of the basketball and defending without fouling, as those were issues against the Hawks. With the addition of Julius Randle, Wolf will likely be relegated to a bench role this season, which limits his value in redraft leagues.

Johnson, who’s on a two-way deal, had some moments late last season as the Nets played out the string. For him, this summer is about doing what he can to earn a more secure opportunity, and nights like Saturday will help. Johnson was energetic throughout, providing excellent value as a scorer and defender. Brooklyn’s addition of Julius Randle was a sign that the front office intends to compete next season, but that does not mean Johnson has no chance of earning another shot to prove himself.

Ejiofor had an excellent all-around performance for the Hawks on Saturday, recording a complete stat line. The Nets struggled to deal with the rookie’s strength; when Ejiofor established position, he wasn’t being moved off his spot. He was more efficient offensively, and the comfort level shooting three-pointers is a pleasant surprise, given that Zuby wasn’t asked to do much of that at the college level. Even with the competition set to ramp up considerably in the fall, Ejiofor should be in the Hawks’ rotation.

The 33rd overall pick in last month’s draft, Evans’ summer league debut was not one for the archives. The former Duke wing missed all nine of his three-point attempts and spent most of his time lingering on the perimeter. One game does not make an entire career; Evans boasts plenty of potential to be a valuable 3-and-D wing. However, Saturday’s performance was a reminder that he’ll need some time to reach that potential.

For the second consecutive game, Pullin provided efficient offensive production from the point guard position. This offseason is key for the 6-foot-4 guard, who is looking to lock down a concrete role for himself in Minnesota. Given the Timberwolves’ depth at point guard, that may be challenging. However, Pullin can certainly make the decision a difficult one for head coach Chris Finch and the rest of the coaching staff. Playing as well as Pullin has in Las Vegas certainly helps his case.

Hopkins did not do as much scoring as he did in his summer debut on Friday, but the rookie out of St. John’s had another solid effort for the Nuggets. His activity as a rebounder and defender has been good; playing his final season for Rick Pitino certainly paid dividends on that end of the floor. Whether he’s on a two-way deal or a standard contract, Hopkins has the tools needed to contribute if his name is called during the regular season.

Stevenson signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards late in the 2024-25 season but never appeared in an NBA game. He’s still seeking his first legitimate NBA opportunity, which makes days like Saturday so important for the former West Virginia guard. Against the Timberwolves, Stevenson shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc to help lead the Nuggets to a 19-point victory. He’s an unrestricted free agent, so there’s no need to expect to receive fantasy value from Stevenson. But he may have taken a step toward earning a training camp invite with his performance on Saturday.