NBA Wildcat Watch (January 8)

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!

We’ve got a lot of action to get caught up on from over the weekend. Eight different Wildcats to update you on. (Omari Spellman has returned from the G-League!) We also have three Villanovans playing on Tuesday night—Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors), Omari Spellman (Atlanta Hawks) and Mikal Bridges (Phoenix Suns).

Check back later to see how those two did, we’ll update this post after their games, but in the mean time here’s your weekend report.

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Kyle Lowry

Lowry played his first full game since pre-Christmas. He had been out with a sore back, but returned to action when the Raptors returned to Toronto to play the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. He logged 32 minutes in the 121-105 victory, scoring 12 points, dishing out eight assists. He also had three rebounds, one block, and three steals to add to his night.

He did not play in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

On Tuesday night, Lowry had a solid night against Atlanta. The Hawks gave the Raptors a hard fight, but Toronto was able to squeak by for a 104-101 win. Lowry had 16 points, two rebounds, six assists, four steals, and a block.

Up Next: vs. Brooklyn on Friday, Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET

Omari Spellman

Spellman was called back up to the Hawks, after spending some time down in the G-League. He played just three minutes in Atlanta’s 106-82 win over the Miami Heat, and logged a DNP on Tuesday night against the Raptors, but it’s good to have him back!

Up Next: @ Brooklyn on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET

Mikal Bridges

Bridges was in the starting five for the Suns’ game against the Hornets. Unfortunately for Phoenix, it lost.

Against the Clippers, he finished with 10 points, three assists, and three steals. On Sunday, he had a quieter game, with five points, three rebounds, and a couple of blocks.

He and the Suns are back in action tonight vs. the Sacramento Kings. Their game is dead even at 86 entering the fourth quarter. So far, Bridges has just two points (1-for-1 shooting), four assists, and four steals.

Up Next: @ Dallas on Wednesdsay, Jan. 9, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Ryan Arcidiacono

It was a big weekend for Arcidiacono. Although the Bulls lost 117-100 to Brooklyn, Arcidiacono had a nice start to the week when it was announced the former Villanova point guard was receiving a guaranteed deal. It's been quite the battle, after not being guaranteed a roster spot. He performed well off the bench and in the starting five when Kris Dunn was injured. The Bulls have liked what they've seen and they're keeping him around a while longer.

As for the Bulls-Nets game, he played 19 minutes, scoring three points, grabbing two rebounds, and dishing out three assists. He also got a steal.

Up Next: @ Portland on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10 p.m. ET

Jalen Brunson

In his first game back at the Wells Fargo Center since his Villanova days, he flirted with a near triple-double in the 106-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He came off the bench and finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. He also had a steal. After that nice all-around night, he did not play in the Monday’s loss to the Lakers.

Up Next: vs. Phoenix on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Dante Cunningham

Cunningham played seven minutes in the Spurs’ 108-88 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. He finished with two points and an assist. However, he didn’t play in Monday’s victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Up Next: @ Memphis on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m. ET

Donte DiVincenzo

He’s back on the Milwaukee Bucks roster, but it turns out his DNP on Friday, which was said to be for rest, was actually for an ankle injury. He’s currently listed as day-to-day. He didn’t play in the Bucks’ loss to Toronto on Saturday, nor did he come in the 114-102 win over the Jazz on Monday.

Up Next: @ Houston on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Josh Hart

Hart has been in the starting five, but he’s still trying to shake off a shooting slump. He had just 10 points off of 3-of-12 shooting in the Lakers’ 108-86 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. However, he did have two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

The Lakers were able to bounce back and win the following night, on Monday, against the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers won 107-97. Hart logged 44 minutes (only sat out for four minutes!) of play. Although he had 14 points on just a 5-of-13 performance, he was contributing virtually every where else. He had 12 rebounds, six assists, and five steals.

Up Next: vs. Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

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Wednesday’s Slate

It’ll be a loaded Hump Day slate for the NBA Wildcats. Seven of the eight ‘Cats will be in action.

• Ryan Arcidiacono: Chicago at Portland, 10 p.m. ET
• Mikal Bridges: Phoenix at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Jalen Brunson: Phoenix at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Dante Cunningham: San Antonio at Memphis, 8 p.m. ET
• Donte DiVincenzo: Milwaukee at Houston, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Josh Hart: Lakers at Detroit, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Omari Spellman: Atlanta at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. ET