Giannis boosts Heat in Quebec debut as Cain pushes for Magic role, Schröder settles in with Hornets

Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered an encouraging first look in a Miami Heat uniform during a pre-season matchup against the Toronto Raptors in Quebec City on Saturday. The two-time MVP, coming off a season in which injuries limited him to a career-low 36 appearances, posted nine points, seven assists and four rebounds in just 14 first-half minutes.

All seven of Antetokounmpo’s assists led directly to three-pointers, underscoring how heavily Miami leaned on him as an offensive initiator. Head coach Erik Spoelstra praised his size, vision and passing accuracy, drawing a parallel to a Hall of Fame big guard who played under team president Pat Riley in the 1980s. The attention Giannis commanded opened up clean looks for teammates, with Andrew Wiggins knocking down multiple threes and Pelle Larsson noting that it has been an easy adjustment playing alongside a superstar who consistently finds open shooters.

Cain chases stable rotation spot as Magic monitor injuries

In Orlando, Jamal Cain is trying to turn a strong finish to last season into a full-time role in the Magic’s rotation. The team picked up its 2026-27 option on the fifth-year forward in June, and he said he spent most of the offseason in the gym preparing for what he views as a different kind of opportunity.

Cain’s $2.6MM salary for this season is non-guaranteed, adding urgency to his push to stick. He described this year as the first time he has felt clear expectations from a team to return and contribute in a tangible way, emphasizing that he did not want to waste that chance and aimed to be ready to help the club and coaching staff in any way he can. If he carves out minutes, the Magic would gain another energetic option on the wing.

The Magic also received positive news on the health front. Head coach Sean Sweeney said guard Anthony Black, who had been dealing with an ankle issue, and Noah Penda, sidelined by a hamstring problem, were both able to practice on Sunday. Sweeney indicated they looked good on the court and hoped they came through the session without any setbacks, a promising sign early in camp.

Schröder leans on familiar faces in Charlotte

In Charlotte, Dennis Schröder says existing relationships inside the organization have smoothed his transition to the Hornets. The veteran point guard pointed out that he, head coach Charles Lee and head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson “go way back to the Atlanta days,” adding that the staff’s positivity and the way teammates have embraced him have made the move feel seamless.

Schröder was acquired in August as part of the five-team blockbuster centred around Peyton Watson, landing on a young Hornets squad searching for stability at guard. He said he is “really happy” to be in Charlotte, and his familiarity with the decision-makers could help accelerate the team’s implementation of Lee’s system while providing much-needed veteran guidance for the rest of the backcourt.