NBA Player News

Risacher recorded 12 points (4-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals across 28 minutes off the bench during Friday's 116-111 win over the Rockets.

It's beginning to look like the Hawks may have given up on Risacher a bit too quickly. While the 21-year-old wing may never live up to his billing as the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, he's providing the Mavs with valuable depth so far, particularly on defense. Over the last five games (one start), Risacher is averaging 10.6 points, 6.0 boards, 2.0 blocks, 1.6 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.4 steals in 30.2 minutes.

Gafford amassed 18 points (6-7 FG, 6-9 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 29 minutes during Friday's 116-111 victory over the Rockets.

The 18 points were a season high for Gafford, who continues to operate without much backup in the paint as Dereck Lively (foot) and Santi Aldama (knee) remain sidelined. Gafford has recorded exactly blocks in six straight games to begin the season, averaging 8.5 points, 7.0 boards, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 0.8 steals in 23.3 minutes while shooting 70.0 percent from the floor.

Irving closed Friday's 116-111 win over Houston with 35 points (12-19 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four rebounds and nine assists across 35 minutes.

The veteran point guard led all scorers on the night, combining for 68 points with Cooper Flagg as the Mavericks handed the Rockets their first loss. The 35 points were also a season high for Irving, as were the nine assists. He hasn't played more than 60 regular-season games in a campaign since 2018-19, but Irving's been mostly healthy to begin the current season and is averaging 21.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.4 boards, 3.2 threes and 1.2 steals in 28.6 minutes over five contests while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor.

Capela ended Friday's 116-111 loss to the Mavericks with five points (2-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals over 30 minutes.

Pushed into the starting lineup for the first time this season with Alperen Sengun (back) and Steven Adams (calf) both in street clothes, Capela responded with his biggest rebounding total of 20226-27 so far. The veteran center is no longer a nightly double-double threat, but in the two games Sengun has missed, Capela is averaging 7.5 points, 9.5 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in 26.0 minutes, giving him some short-term fantasy appeal until Houston's frontcourt gets healthier.

Eason posted 11 points (4-12 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 26 minutes off the bench during Friday's 116-111 loss to the Mavericks.

It was the first double-double of the season for Eason, who continues to see a big workload in the frontcourt while Steven Adams (calf) and now Alperen Sengun (back) are on the shelf. Both big men are expected to return in the near future, but Eason's role on the second unit should be fairly secure even when the roster is at full strength. Through six games this season, the fifth-year forward is averaging 10.3 points, 6.7 boards, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 24.8 minutes a contest.

Thompson accumulated 15 points (7-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-4 FT), three rebounds, six assists and four steals across 39 minutes during Friday's 116-111 loss to the Mavericks.

The four steals were a season high for Thompson, while he scored at least 15 points for a sixth straight game to begin the season. So far in 2026-27, the fourth-year guard is averaging 17.7 points, 7.2 boards, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor, numbers mostly in line with his performance from last season.

Smith recorded 22 points (7-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 35 minutes during Friday's 116-111 loss to Dallas.

It was Smith's best scoring effort since Opening Night, a 30-point effort that also came against the Mavericks. The fifth-year forward hasn't seen his role change much while Alperen Sengun (back) and Steven Adams (calf) have been sidelined, and through six games to begin the season Smith is averaging 17.2 points, 5.3 boards, 2.5 threes, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks.

Gobert amassed nine points (4-7 FG, 1-3 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 30 minutes during Friday's 127-101 win over the Clippers.

Gobert continues to struggle on offense, as this was the fifth time in six games that he scored in double digits, but he's grabbed at least 13 rebounds for the fourth time in that span. Gobert has just three blocks this season, averaging 0.5 per game, so he's not the elite rim protector he once was. While he's not expected to lose his starting role, Gobert has showing signs of a decline, and he's no longer the automatic starter he was in past seasons. His offensive woes are too big to overlook, and he doesn't do much in other categories outside of rebounds.

Hyland racked up 19 points (8-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt), eight assists and one steal across 20 minutes during Friday's 127-101 victory over the Clippers.

Hyland finished just two assists shy of a double-double and recorded his second straight game with double-digit points and over 15 minutes of action. It's still early, but the early signs show Hyland could be in line for a bigger role in the backcourt with Anthony Edwards (knee) sidelined for the foreseeable future.

McDaniels recorded 23 points (11-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Friday's 127-101 win over the Clippers.

McDaniels made the most of his expanded offensive role Friday, delivering his best scoring output of the season and his first game with at least 20 points, while also contributing in other areas. McDaniels is enjoying an excellent start to the season and has embraced a more prominent role on offense early on. He's scored at least 14 points in each of his six appearances and is averaging 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a combined 1.7 steals-plus-blocks thus far.