NBA Wildcat Watch (January 17)

From Tuesday through Friday, each time a former Wildcat hits the court, we will recap how they did and include a few highlights (if available). 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!

Four different ‘Cats took the court on Thursday night: Ryan Arcidiacono (Chicago Bulls), Josh Hart (Los Angeles Lakers), and we even got to see Mikal Bridges (Phoenix Suns) and Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors) go against each other to tip off the NBA slate.

Kyle Lowry

Pascal Siakam had the game-winning buzzer-beater to lift the Raptors to a 111-109 win over a fiesty Phoenix Suns team. While the driving layup got all the buzz, don’t overlook the fact that Lowry almost had a triple-double. With Kawhi Leonard inactive for rest, the Raptors needed other players to step up and Lowry’s impact was felt on the floor with a team-high +11 plus/minus rating.

He didn’t have a great shooting night—just 4-of-15, but he was able to finish with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. He also added a pair of steals. Lowry also notched his 5,000th career assist in the win.

Up Next: vs. Memphis on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET

Mikal Bridges

As for the other Wildcat in the Raptors-Suns game, Bridges was in the starting five again and enjoyed a solid all-around game himself. He logged 30 minutes of playing time in Phoenix’s heartbreaking last-second 111-109 loss to Toronto. Bridges finished with 15 points (5-of-8 shooting). He also had five rebounds, four assists, and a block. He was one of a few Suns that were able to finish on the positive side of the plus/minus scale and actually led with +5.

Up Next: at Charlotte on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. ET

Ryan Arcidiacono

Arcidiacono played 12 minutes off the bench in the Bulls’ 135-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He didn’t score a single point and only took two shot attempts, but he grabbed a pair of rebounds and dished out four assists.

Up Next: vs. Miami on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. ET

Josh Hart

Hart helped pilot and spark a 17-point comeback for the Lakers, who ultimately ended up winning in overtime, 138-128, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was playing off of the bench once again, but might have just made a serious statement for why he should be back in the starting five.

Hart played starter’s minutes, logging 33 and amassing a +23 plus/minus rating. His impact was undeniable, especially late in the game. Hart finished with 12 points (3-of-6 shooting), 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block.

Up Next: at Houston on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Friday’s Slate

Yes, Villanova is playing Xavier on Friday night, but keep a few tabs on Dante Cunningham and the San Antonio Spurs, as they’ll be going on the road to play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and can be seen nationally on ESPN.