NBA Player News

James amassed six points (2-5 FG, 2-5 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists across 18 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

The rookie second-rounder was a key contributor for the Hornets during the first half of the 2025-26 regular season, and he started 11 of Charlotte's 13 games from Oct. 30 to Nov. 23. He saw his playing time dip slightly in 2026, and in the 27 regular-season games since the All-Star break (one start), James averaged 4.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 threes and 0.8 steals over 19.4 minutes per contest. He figures to serve in a bench role for the 2026-27 season unless a path to more playing time opens up for the Duke product.

Quickley (hamstring) has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Cavaliers on Saturday, Spencer Davies of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Quickley sustained a hamstring injury during the Raptors' regular-season finale against the Nets this past Sunday. The injury is severe enough for him to miss Toronto's playoff opener, and his next opportunity to play is Game 2 on Monday. Jamal Shead figures to start for the Raptors on Saturday in Quickley's absence.

Bridges ended Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic with 15 points (5-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 28 minutes.

Bridges propelled the Hornets to a 127-126 overtime victory over the Heat in Tuesday's Play-In Game, when he logged 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal over 43 minutes, though he was unable to replicate that production in Friday's elimination loss. Bridges was productive to open the 2025-26 season, but his numbers dipped significantly following the All-Star break. Over his final 24 regular-season outings from Feb. 24 to April 12, he averaged 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 threes and 0.8 steals over 28.3 minutes per game. Part of that dip had to do with Bridges taking a back seat to the likes of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. Bridges is slated to earn $22.8 million in 2026-27, which is the final year he is under contract with Charlotte.

Miller closed with 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 29 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Miller played a key role in the Hornets' 127-126 overtime win over the Heat on Tuesday, though he was unable to replicate that success in Friday's elimination game. The 2023 first-rounder has established himself as a franchise cornerstone for the Hornets alongside LaMelo Ball and 2025-26 Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel. Miller ended the 2025-26 regular season averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.1 threes, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks over 30.3 minutes per game. He has two years left on his rookie contract (including a $21.2 million qualifying offer for 2027-28), though Miller could earn a rookie max extension from the Hornets in the offseason.

Knueppel produced 11 points (3-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 29 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.

Knueppel was one of the deadliest shooters from three-point range during his rookie season, connecting on 42.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc (on 7.9 3PA/G). However, he struggled toward the tail end of the campaign, and over his last six outings (including both Play-In Tournament games), he connected on just 29.5 percent of his field-goal attempts (including 23.8 percent of three-point tries) while averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.7 steals over 31.5 minutes per game. Knueppel's disappointing end to 2025-26 shouldn't take away from his historic season, as he and former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg are both frontrunners for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.

Howard played the final 5:43 of Friday's 121-90 win over the Hornets in the Play-In Tournament, finishing with three points (1-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and one rebound.

Howard missed the final five games of the regular season due to a left ankle sprain before being cleared in advance of the Magic's first game of the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday. He didn't end up seeing any run in Wednesday's 109-97 loss to the 76ers but was able to see some minutes in garbage time Friday. Based on how he was used Wednesday and Friday, Howard doesn't look like he'll be a regular factor in the rotation during the Magic's upcoming first-round playoff series versus the Pistons.

Spencer chipped in two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) in one minute during Friday's 111-96 Play-In Game loss to the Suns.

Spencer was a healthy DNP for Wednesday's win over the Clippers before being limited to garbage-time burn in Friday's loss. The Northwestern product enjoyed a productive third season in the NBA, averaging career highs in minutes (18.6), points (7.2), assists (3.5) and rebounds (2.4). Spencer enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and will certainly look to join a team who can promise him more consistent playing time.

Curry ended with no counting stats in one minute during Friday's 111-96 Play-In Game loss to the Suns.

Curry missed the majority of the 2025-26 season due to a variety of injuries and ailments. He did see some more meaningful playing time across his final five regular-season games, having averaged 8.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.6 threes over 14.8 minutes per game in that span. Curry enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and should garner interest from a team looking to upgrade its backcourt depth with a veteran sharpshooter.

Richard posted no counting stats in one minute during Friday's 111-96 Play-In Game loss to the Suns.

Richard mostly operated off the bench in his first year in the NBA, though he did start 21 of his 69 regular-season games and averaged 6.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 threes over 20.0 minutes. However, the rookie second-rounder saw his playing time dip significantly toward the tail end of the season, resulting in a healthy DNP against the Clippers on Wednesday and just one minute during garbage time Friday. Richard's playing time in his sophomore year will largely depend on the statuses of both Jimmy Butler (knee) and Moses Moody (knee).

Bassey posted no counting stats in one minute during Friday's 111-96 Play-In Game loss to Phoenix.

Bassey opened the 2025-26 season with the Grizzlies on a 10-day contract before being let go. He proceeded to spend most of his time in the G League, but he found himself back at the NBA level with stints in Philadelphia, Boston and finally Golden State. Bassey appeared in five regular-season games for the Warriors and averaged 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.4 blocks over 20.0 minutes. He's an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could sign with a team for the Summer League as a rehearsal for an Exhibit 10 contract for training camp.