Cavaliers rookie guard Melick Thomas didn’t see action in the first two games of the season, but he logged 19 minutes off the bench in Monday’s overtime win over Minnesota and had 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. After helping the Cavs to a tough win in their NBA regular-season debut, Thomas called the night “a dream come true.” Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).
The 34th overall pick in this year’s draft, Thomas was one of the stars of the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 27.2 points per game in four games in July. He continued to perform in the preseason, posting 10.3 points and 2.0 steals in 18.1 minutes per game in three games.
While Thomas entered the camp, uncertainly outlined behind Craig Porter Jr and Tyrese Proctor on the Cavaliers’ backcourt depth chart, Atkinson acknowledged after the Timberwolves game that Thomas may have passed both players, neither of whom saw action Monday. For his part, Thomas is very confident in his ability to continue production.
“I thought I was going to be the best version of me, but it wasn’t even the best version. There’s a lot more that I haven’t shown.” said the rookie about his debut. “Every time I get my strength up, I always think I’m going to do my best and give a great performance — I’m going to make it.
“I always say to myself when I’m playing hoops, I want as many people, if they don’t know my name, to leave the gym knowing my name. I just want them to know that this kid really made an impact. So before the game, the night before, I always know that the next game I wear (number) 15 is going to be something special.”
Here’s more from all over Central:
- When his first NBA game ended in 2020, Mario Hezonha thought he might be headed for retirement Ethan Sands writes an in-depth profile for Cleveland.com (subscription required). However, the former fifth-choice has restarted his career in Europe and has returned to the States ahead of the 2026/27 season after attracting interest from Cavaliers in a year and a half. “They were just high on me the whole time” Hezonja said of the Cavs. “The coaching staff and my teammates made the transition very comfortable for me. … Everything was perfect so far.” The Croatian forward has been playing early rotation minutes for Cleveland, averaging 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game.
- The PistonsThe first loss of the season after three consecutive wins showed how much they will miss the center Jalen Duren while he is outside with a hamstring strainwrites By Amari Sankoff II of The Detroit Free Press (subscription required). Although Paul Reed had 22 points and nine rebounds against New York on Tuesday, he and backup center Three Smiths both got into foul trouble against the big Knicks Karl-Anthony Townswho had 27 points and 20 rebounds.
- The Pacers there is a long list of injured players for the contest against philadelphia on wednesday, with TJ McConnell (right hamstring strain) is still not ready to make his season debut and Ivitsa Zubak (sprained left ankle) ruled out for second straight game. Guards Tyrese Halliburton (left hamstring strain) and Andrew Nembhardt (neck soreness) are both considered questionable for pleasure.
- Leonard Miller was considered a throw-in last season Ayo Dosunmu trade, but since then it has become a consistent part of Art Bykov‘ spin, hint Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune (subscription required) to wonder if the 22-year-old forward will figure into the franchise’s long-term plans. Miller, who is eligible for a season-long extension, will become an unrestricted free agent in July if he does not sign a new contract before then.