Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Returning to bench Monday
Rotowire
Fernando is not in the Raptors' starting lineup for Monday's game against the Bulls, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando was a late addition to the Raptors' starting lineup Thursday due to Jakob Poeltl dealing with back spasms. However, Poeltl ended up playing in that game and played 27 minutes off the bench while Fernando was limited to just two minutes of playing time. Fernando likely won't see much playing time off Toronto's bench behind Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Late addition to lineup
Rotowire
Fernando will start over Jakob Poeltl (back spasms) in Thursday's game against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Poeltl was a late scratch and has been downgraded to doubtful, meaning his chances of seeing the floor Thursday are very slim. Fernando should see plenty of minutes at center, with Chris Boucher also expected to see an expanded role off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Won't start Saturday
Rotowire
Fernando is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Mavericks, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando will return to his regular bench role after making a spot start against the Thunder on Dec. 5, notching four points, seven rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal across 19 minutes in a 129-92 loss. With Jakob Poeltl available and ready to handle his regular workload, Fernando isn't expected to see significant minutes off the bench against Dallas.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Getting chance with starters
Rotowire
Fernando will start Thursday night's game against the Thunder, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Fernando is in line for an opportunity at center after news broke that Jakob Poeltl (illness) wouldn't suit up. This marks Fernando's first start of the 2024-25 campaign, and he should shoulder a heavier workload after averaging only 8.6 minutes through his first 14 appearances of the season.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Strong play off bench
Rotowire
Fernando racked up nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 14 minutes during Monday's 102-100 loss to the Pistons.
Fernando set season-best marks in points and assists, doing all his damage in just 14 minutes. He's had a very quiet season so far, but he could become an intriguing streamer if Jakob Poeltl misses time at any point this season.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Fernando missed the last two games due to a right ankle sprain, but he will return to action Sunday. His availability figures to have a limited impact on the rotation as he's averaged just 9.1 minutes per contest in 11 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando is in danger of missing his third straight contest Sunday due to a sprained left ankle. The 26-year-old big man is averaging 3.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 9.1 minutes across his 11 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) will not play Thursday against Minnesota.
Fernando will miss his second game in a row. He's been a fringe rotation player for the Raptors, so his absence won't carry many fantasy implications.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Available to return Saturday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) is available to return to Saturday's game against the Celtics, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Fernando left in the second quarter of Saturday's game after rolling his right ankle. However, he's back on the Raptors' bench for the second half and is available to check back into the game.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Leaves game with ankle injury
Rotowire
Fernando went to the locker room in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Celtics due to a right ankle injury, Kayla Grey of TSN reports.
Fernando rolled his right ankle while attempting to grab a defensive rebound midway through the second quarter of Saturday's game. The good news was he was able to limp to the locker room under his own power, though it's unclear if he will be able to return to Saturday's contest. Jonathan Mogbo and Chris Boucher should see more minutes while Fernando is sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Career-best night on glass
Rotowire
Fernando notched eight points (4-9 FG), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 18 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 99-85 loss to Milwaukee.
The 13 boards were a career high for the journeyman big, who is on his fourth team in six NBA seasons. Fernando doesn't see consistent minutes in the Toronto frontcourt and has little fantasy value in his current role, but he is averaging 0.8 blocks in only 9.0 minutes a game. An injury to Jakob Poeltl could make Fernando an intriguing waiver-wire target.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Earns final spot on roster
Rotowire
Fernando earned the 15th spot on the Raptors' roster Monday, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports.
The Raptors claimed Fernando off waivers in July after he was let go by the Hawks. The 2019 second-round pick averaged 15.2 minutes per game across 45 regular-season contests last year, and while he's buried on the Raptors' depth chart, Fernando could see some playing time early on during the 2024-25 regular season if Kelly Olynyk (back) and Chris Boucher (knee) were to be sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Strong off bench Friday
Rotowire
Fernando compiled six points (2-9 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block in 17 minutes during Friday's 113-95 loss to Washington.
Fernando was waived by the Hawks in July, only to be offered a lifeline in the form of a non-guaranteed, one-year contract by the Raptors. Despite shooting the ball poorly in the loss, Fernando racked up five defensive stats, something the coaching staff was likely looking for. Bruno is no certainty to make the final roster, but performances like this should at least keep him in the discussion.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Joins Toronto
Rotowire
The Raptors signed Fernando to a non-guaranteed contract Friday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The 25-year-old was released by the Hawks earlier this week and didn't take long to latch on with a new team. Fernando will need a strong camp to have a chance of earning a place on the season-opening roster.
... See More... See Less
Bruno Fernando: Released by Atlanta
Rotowire
The Hawks waived Fernando on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
After spending just one full season with the club, Fernando will now look to sign with a new team after being waived by the Hawks. The 25-year-old was a non-factor in the first half of the 2023-24 regular season, during which he averaged 4.0 points and 3.1 rebounds across 9.0 minutes in 18 games. However, after the All-Star break, Fernando saw an uptick in playing time, and he averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 19.3 minutes in 27 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Bruno Fernando: Contract guarantee date extended
Rotowire
Fernando and the Hawks intend to push back the guarantee deadline on his contract to July 10, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The Hawks and Fernando decided on a similar move prior to last season, and ultimately the center's contract was guaranteed. If the club decides to guarantee his salary this season, Fernando is set to make $2.7 million this upcoming year. The 25-year-old was a non-factor in the first half of 2023-24; however, after the All-Star break he saw an uptick in minutes, during which he averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 19.3 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Bruno Fernando: Retreats to bench
Rotowire
Fernando will come off the bench for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Bulls, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Fernando drew the start in the final game of the regular season but he'll retreat to the second unit since Clint Capela (rest) is back in action. While it's assumed Atlanta will trim down their rotation, Fernando should see upwards of 20 minutes Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Bruno Fernando: Reaches double figures in start
Rotowire
Fernando contributed 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-6 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes during Sunday's 157-115 loss to Indiana.
Fernando got the starting nod with Clint Capela (rest) sitting out the regular-season finale, ending as one of four Atlanta starters and five players with a double-digit point total in a losing effort. Fernando started his second game of the season Sunday, his first that ended with 10 or more points. He rounds out the regular season by posting 11 double-digit scoring outings.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Bruno Fernando: Starting sans Capela
Rotowire
Fernando will start Sunday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
With Clint Capela (rest) sitting out the regular-season finale, Fernando will draw a spot start. In his only start this season (Feb. 14 versus Charlotte), Fernando posted six points, 12 rebounds, an assist and a block in 26 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Bruno Fernando: Scores career-best 25 points
Rotowire
Fernando posted 25 points (11-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block over 26 minutes during Saturday's 132-91 victory over the Hornets.
Fernando reached a new career-high scoring mark in this one, and the big man is certainly making the most of the opportunity with Onyeka Okongwu (toe) sidelined. However, this was a one-game outlier, and he's not expected to hover around the 20-point plateau -- let alone the 10-point mark -- off the bench going forward, as he remains a backup with little shot at a starting role any time soon.
