TITLE: Adebayo climbs Heat scoring chart; Nets await Thomas’ return; Wizards focus on draft positioning
SLUG: adebayo-heat-scoring-mark-thomas-injury-update-wizards-pick-strategy
CONTENT:
Miami center Bam Adebayo vaulted to third place on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 24 points in Friday’s 106-105 loss to Orlando. The sixth-year All-Star moved past Glen Rice, leaving only Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning ahead of him.
“He came in as a defensive player and has really honed his offensive skills,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said after the game. Adebayo, who said the record would have felt sweeter in a victory, is on pace to catch Mourning before the regular season ends.
Nets
Cam Thomas remains out with a left hamstring strain, but an MRI earlier this week showed improvement, according to the team. The guard has resumed on-court activity and will be re-evaluated in about two weeks, making Dec. 21 against Toronto the earliest potential return date.
The 22-year-old has injured the same hamstring four times in two seasons and appeared in only 25 games last year. He averaged 24.4 points in seven healthy games this season; Brooklyn went 1-7 with him and 4-10 without him, entering Saturday at 5-17.
Thomas accepted a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer last summer and is on track for unrestricted free agency in 2026. He will also hold veto power over trades next season.
Wizards
With a 3-17 start, Washington is on course to keep its top-eight-protected first-round pick. The franchise remains focused on development, and second-year players Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr have shown noticeable growth, The Athletic’s Josh Robbins reported.
“There were a lot of games we could have won,” Sarr said. “All we can do is learn from it.”
The Wizards continue to prioritize long-term rebuilding goals over immediate results as the season progresses.
Source: Hoops Wire
