NBA Wildcat Watch (October 31)

From Tuesday through Friday, each time a former Wildcat hits the court, we will recap how they did and include a few highlights. On Tuesdays, we’ll also recap what happened over the weekend, so you don’t miss the action. This will also serve as a discussion board. We will try to keep it updated as soon as the games are over, so check back often!

Five Wildcats are hitting the court on this Halloween night. First, Ryan Arcidiacono and the Chicago Bulls are taking on the Denver Nuggets in the Windy City. In the nightcap, we have a couple of Wildcat vs. Wildcat games. The Dallas Mavericks (Jalen Brunson) and the Los Angeles Lakers (Josh Hart) square off on the west coast. The San Antonio Spurs (Dante Cunningham) will head over to Arizona to take on the Phoenix Suns (Mikal Bridges).

Ryan Arcidiacono

The Bulls dropped a close game in overtime, losing 108-107, to the Nuggets, but Arcidiacono might have provided further proof for why he should start over Cameron Payne. Arcidiacono was quiet offensively, but he’s contributing virtually everywhere else. He logged 30 minutes of action on the floor, making his one of his two shots in the game—a three-pointer. He also finished with two rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

Up Next: vs. Indiana on Friday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. ET

Josh Hart

Hampered by fouls, Hart was limited to a season-low 16 minutes of action on Wednesday. Despite this, the Lakers managed to hang on to win, 114-113, over Dallas. Hart had three points (1-of-3 shooting), two assists and a steal. On the bright side, he had a great Dwight costume...

Up Next: at Portland on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 10:30 p.m. ET

Jalen Brunson

With J.J. Barea playing very well for the Mavericks, Rick Carlisle seemed to go with the hot hand when needing to relieve Dennis Smith Jr., giving the veteran more minutes than the rookie. Brunson had 11 minutes of playing time, finishing with four points, one rebound, and one assist.

Up Next: vs. New York on Friday, Nov. 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Dante Cunningham

Cunningham got the nod from Gregg Popovich to start on Wednesday night. He was quiet in terms of scoring, but was able to do everything else—rebound, assist, play tough defense, and hustle. His stat line against the Suns in a 120-90 win wasn’t crazy—just four points, three rebounds, three assists—and while it may be an overblown cliche: he definitely did the things that don’t show up on the box score but would make the team-first Spurs proud.

Up Next: vs. New Orleans on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Mikal Bridges

It wasn’t the best of games for the Suns, but Bridges provided a bright spot in a lopsided 120-90 loss. He had his most productive outing yet as a NBA player and was the most efficient Sun on the floor on Wednesday night. Through 27 minutes of action, Bridges finished with 16 points off of 6-of-9 shooting. He also had one rebound, three assists, and a pair of steals. Unfortunately for Phoenix, it lost its sixth straight game, but perhaps Bridges’ outing will mean it can rely on the rookie wing more.

Up Next: vs. Toronto on Friday, Nov. 2, at 10 p.m. ET