NBA Player News

Connaughton produced two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in six minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to Orlando.

Connaughton saw the floor in Friday's season-ending loss after collecting two straight DNP-CDs. The veteran forward played a limited role for the Hornets in 2025-26, averaging 2.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 steals in 7.1 minutes per game across 42 regular-season appearances off the bench. His production has been trending downward for the past few years, and his future in Charlotte is uncertain, with the club holding a $3.82 million team option for 2026-27.

Mann supplied two points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and one assist in seven minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Mann didn't see the floor in Tuesday's Play-In Game win over the Heat but logged seven minutes during Friday's blowout loss. The 25-year-old guard posted several career lows while playing a limited role in 2025-26, averaging 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.5 steals in 12.6 minutes per game across 53 regular-season appearances (one start). He's under contract for the 2026-27 season, and the Hornets hold a team option for 2027-28.

Salaun registered four points (1-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists across nine minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

With the Hornets trailing early, Salaun saw action in Friday's season-ending loss after not seeing the floor in Tuesday's Play-In Game win over the Heat. After appearing in 60 regular-season games (10 starts) during his rookie season, the second-year forward split time between the NBA and G League in 2025-26. Over 37 regular-season appearances off the bench this season, the 20-year-old averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.4 steals in 15.5 minutes per game. He was much more efficient in his second season, shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from downtown on 2.2 three-point attempts per tilt.

Green produced zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and two rebounds across 10 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Green logged 11 or fewer minutes for a sixth straight game and didn't make much of an impact in his limited run during Charlotte's season-ending loss. The 25-year-old swingman missed the Hornets' first 24 regular-season games after undergoing left shoulder surgery in June and saw his role decline in 2025-26, averaging 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.6 steals in 15.7 minutes per game across 58 regular-season appearances off the bench. He's under contract for one more season.

Williams finished with one point (0-4 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and one steal across 15 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Williams turned in a lackluster performance in Friday's season-ending loss, scoring in single digits for a sixth straight game. The 27-year-old forward didn't make his season debut until Jan. 10 after rehabbing from right knee surgery he underwent in December 2024. Williams appeared in 36 regular-season games (three starts), averaging 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks in 19.8 minutes per contest. He's under contract for one more season.

Kalkbrenner produced two points (0-3 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block over 18 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Kalkbrenner had a muted impact on the offensive end during Friday's season-ending loss, failing to score in double figures for a 13th straight game. The rookie second-rounder began the 2025-26 campaign in a starting role but suffered a sprained left elbow in late December and lost his spot in the starting lineup when he returned Jan. 10. Kalkbrenner appeared in 69 regular-season appearances (31 starts), averaging 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 0.8 assists and 0.5 steals while shooting 75.3 percent from the field in 21.4 minutes per showing.

Nance won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.

The Cavaliers held multiple players out for their regular-season finale, opening the door for Nance to enter the starting five. However, the veteran big man will retreat to the second unit Saturday and isn't guaranteed to see the floor.

Tyson won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.

Tyson started each of Cleveland's final two regular-season games due to multiple key contributors being sidelined, but he'll retreat to the second unit for the start of the playoffs. The second-year forward averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 23.2 minutes per contest in 24 regular-season outings off the bench.

Tomlin is not in Cleveland's starting lineup against Toronto for Game 1 on Saturday.

Tomlin made his third start of the 2025-26 campaign during this past Sunday's regular-season finale against the Wizards, when he played 36 minutes and finished with a career-high 26 points along with eight rebounds and five assists in a 130-117 win. Tomlin will return to a bench role for Game 1, though it's unclear how much playing time he'll see given that rotations tend to tighten up in the playoffs.

Shead is in the Raptors' starting lineup for Game 1 against the Cavaliers on Saturday.

Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) has been ruled out for Game 1, prompting the Raptors to move Shead into the starting lineup alongside Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl. Shead started 12 regular-season games, during which he averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 threes and 1.3 steals over 32.1 minutes per game.