Edmond

Sumner

Ntilikina suffered the injury on a layup attempt in the first minute of the fourth quarter, landing awkwardly in traffic. While he could walk back to the locker room under his own power, the veteran guard did so gingerly. With James Bouknight undergoing knee surgery earlier this month, the Hornets could be down two rotation guards when the regular season begins. If so, additional minutes would be available to Nick Smith Jr. or Edmond Sumner. However, neither would be worth streaming as starters LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier are healthy.

Sumner was waived by the Nets on July 15, and he’ll look to provide needed PG depth for Charlotte behind LaMelo Ball. Sumner posted 7.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 triples across 13.9 minutes per game in 53 appearances for Brooklyn in 2022-23. He’s off the fantasy radar in 2023-24.

Sumner, who appeared in 53 games for the Nets last season, would have his full salary for the 2023-24 season guaranteed had he been on the roster on July 15. In his first season back from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Sumner averaged 7.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 3-pointers in 13.9 minutes per game. While he’ll be of interest to teams needing additional depth on the perimeter, Sumner is unlikely to be a factor as far as fantasy is concerned.

With Brooklyn locked in as the 6-seed, they’ll be without the majority of their rotation. Sumner would’ve played big minutes in this game, but it appears that he’ll remain on the sidelines. Cam Thomas, Dru Smith, David Duke Jr. and Patty Mills should play the majority of the guard minutes.

Harris and Sumner haven’t been great fantasy options this season, so their availability will not be too impactful in that regard. Brooklyn is locked into the 6-seed in the East, so these two may be in line for a few more minutes than usual if they’re cleared to play.

Sumner is back in action after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Magic. While he gives Brooklyn another option off the bench, Sumner is not worth rostering in fantasy leagues at this stage in the season.

After injuring his hip during Saturday’s win over the Heat, Sumner did not play Sunday night in Orlando. While there’s the possibility that he’ll play, Sumner isn’t a player that fantasy managers should actively seek to roster. Leave him on the waiver wire.

Prior to Sunday, Thomas was a DNP-CD in three straight games. Given the second-year wing credit for being ready when his name was called on Sunday, with the 18 points being the most he’s scored in a game since March 9 (21 vs. Milwaukee). Since that effort against the Bucks, Thomas scored a total of eight points in four appearances. While one can hope that his play on Sunday will earn him another look as soon as Wednesday against the Rockets, the boost in playing time was due to Brooklyn being without Royce O’Neale and Edmond Sumner. Leave Thomas on the waiver wire.

Sumner isn’t guaranteed rotation minutes when healthy, so his absence will not significantly impact fantasy basketball. With Seth Curry (personal) also sidelined, Yuta Watanabe may pick up a few more minutes off the bench. He would not be worth streaming.

Even if he’s available, Sumner’s role has been quite limited in recent games, when he’s played at all. His status won’t affect lineup decisions for fantasy hoops managers.