The Scoop: Looney has been bothered by knee soreness since the Pelicans' first preseason game in Melbourne, but he will suit up for the first time during the regular season Sunday. Looney will have to battle for minutes amongst a crowded center room, including Derik Queen, Yves Missi, and DeAndre Jordan.

 The Scoop: Dort will miss Sunday's game due to an illness, marking his first absence of the season. The gritty wing has struggled offensively to start the year, averaging 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals on 30.0 percent shooting across six starts. With the Arizona State product sidelined, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe are candidates to join the starting lineup.

 The Scoop: Miller is dealing with a left shoulder subluxation but is seeking additional medical advice before moving forward. He'll miss a fifth straight game Sunday and can be considered doubtful for future contests until the team provides an official return timetable. Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton and Sion James continue to see increased opportunity in Miller's absence, and their roles should be even more pronounced with LaMelo Ball (ankle) doubtful for the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back set.

 The Scoop: Wallace's availability for Sunday's game is uncertain as he deals with flu-like symptoms. The 26-year-old had seen limited action to start the year but logged 17 minutes in his last outing Friday, posting 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 3Pt), seven assists, three rebounds and one steal with Trae Young (knee) out. If Wallace is unable to play, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard will be tasked with handling the bulk of the work at point guard.

 The Scoop: Thompson didn't notch a second straight double-double but still made his presence felt Saturday, scoring in double figures while adding a pair of steals. Expected by many to take a leap this season, the talented wing is averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 blocks through six games to start the 2025-26 campaign. His shooting remains a work in progress -- 54.2 percent from the free-throw line and 27.3 percent from three -- but Thompson continues to impact games with his athleticism, defense and all-around activity.

 The Scoop: Green came off the bench and delivered his usual production, scoring seven points for the third time in six games this season. The wing has logged 20 minutes just once so far but continues to make an impact when called upon, recording at least one steal in five of six appearances to open the year.

 The Scoop: Jones didn't post flashy numbers but provided steady, efficient minutes off the bench Saturday. The Duke product, in his first season with the Magic after spending 2024-25 with the Suns, is a proven and reliable presence as the primary backup point guard behind Jalen Suggs. While his statistical output and fantasy relevance are limited in this role, the veteran's value as a stabilizing depth piece for Orlando is clear.

 The Scoop: Portis drilled multiple three-pointers for the second consecutive game, turning in his highest scoring performance of the young season Saturday. The veteran continues to produce in his familiar bench role for Milwaukee, averaging 10.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game through six contests.

 The Scoop: Eubanks was highly efficient Saturday, missing just one shot from the field while scoring in double figures for the first time this season. Entering the matchup averaging only 1.8 points through Sacramento's first five games -- and held scoreless in three of them -- the 28-year-old made the most of his opportunity. Though he's averaged just 12.8 minutes across six contests, continued solid outings like this could earn Eubanks a larger role in the post led by Domantas Sabonis but otherwise light on proven contributors behind rookies Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud.

 The Scoop: The 18 points were a season high for Robinson, who is adjusting quickly to his first campaign somewhere other than Miami. After a two-point dud in the Pistons' opener, the 31-year-old forward has drained multiple three-pointers in five straight games, averaging 13.2 points, 3.6 boards, 3.0 threes and 1.4 assists in 31.3 minutes a contest while shooting 46.9 percent from beyond the arc.