O'Neale will come off the bench in Friday's preseason finale in Memphis.
Sion James will replace O'Neale in the first unit for Friday's final exhibition game. In two games off the bench this preseason, O'Neale is averaging 6.0 points and 3.0 assists in 16.9 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' Royce O'Neale: Perfect from field Wednesday
Rotowire
O'Neale delivered 12 points (4-4 FG, 4-4 3Pt) in 23 minutes while chipping in two rebounds and two assists during Wednesday's preseason loss to the Celtics.
Getting the start with Kon Knueppel (hamstring), Coby White (calf) and Grayson Allen (knee) all missing from the backcourt, O'Neale was perfect with his shooting opportunities, although he also committed five turnovers. It's not clear if any of those guards will be ready for Opening Night, so O'Neale could find himself in a bigger role than expected to begin the campaign. The veteran forward was dealt to Charlotte in June after averaging a career-high 9.8 points and 2.7 threes over 78 regular-season games for Phoenix in 2025-26.
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Hornets' Royce O'Neale: Slated to start Wednesday
Rotowire
O'Neale is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's preseason game against Boston.
After coming off the bench in his first two preseason appearances, O'Neale will move into the starting five for the first time with Charlotte. In 78 regular-season games (67 starts) with Phoenix last year, the veteran forward averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' Royce O'Neale: Sees 17 minutes in loss
Rotowire
O'Neale finished with three points (1-4 FG, 1-4 3Pt), five assists, two rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 17 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to Brooklyn.
O'Neale struggled from beyond the arc but contributed across several other categories, with his five assists leading Charlotte. The veteran wing should provide the Hornets with a versatile reserve capable of contributing without requiring significant offensive usage.
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Hornets' Royce O'Neale: Traded to Charlotte
Rotowire
The Suns traded O'Neale, Grayson Allen and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets on Sunday in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
O'Neale will serve as a veteran presence in the Hornets' locker room, and he'll help back up Naz Reid. O'Neale averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 triples and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game in Phoenix last season, but it will be tough to replicate those numbers operating in a reserve role in Charlotte.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Wraps up serviceable campaign
Rotowire
O'Neale supplied eight points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt), seven rebounds and two assists over 18 minutes during Monday's 131-122 loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Suns battled plenty of injuries to their wings in 2025-26, allowing O'Neale to maintain a significant role throughout the year and draw 67 starts. Over 78 regular-season contests, the veteran swingman averaged a career-high 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.7 three-pointers in 28.4 minutes per game while shooting 40.8 percent from deep. O'Neale is under team control for the next two seasons.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Just misses double-double in Game 2
Rotowire
O'Neale totaled 16 points (4-5 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals across 34 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 120-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The veteran forward bounced back from a quiet Game 1 performance to post his best scoring effort since a March 24 start against the Nuggets. O'Neale has scored in double digits in five of his last 10 games, all with the second unit, while averaging 8.6 points, 4.8 boards, 2.2 threes, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 23.9 minutes.
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Suns' Grayson Allen: Game-time decision for Game 1
Rotowire
Allen (hamstring) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's Game 1 against the Thunder, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Allen has missed the Suns' last three games due to a left hamstring injury. He's coming off a career year, averaging 16.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 3.1 threes and 1.4 steals over 28.8 minutes per game during the regular season. That production would need to be replaced by Haywood Highsmith, Royce O'Neale and Ryan Dunn if Allen is unable to play in Game 1.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Good to go for Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Trail Blazers.
O'Neale was inactive for Sunday's regular-season finale due to a knee injury but is cleared for the start of the postseason Tuesday. A starter in 67 of his 78 regular-season appearances, the veteran forward has come off the bench in each of his past six contests and averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.0 minutes during that span.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Won't go Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Oklahoma City.
O'Neale will sit out Sunday's regular-season finale, though he will likely be able to return for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the higher-seeded team between the Clippers and Trail Blazers. O'Neale will finish the 2025-26 regular season averaging a career-best 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game across 78 outings (67 starts).
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Plays 22 minutes off bench
Rotowire
O'Neale logged three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes during Sunday's 120-110 win over the Bulls.
Dillon Brooks picked up his 18th technical foul of the season and is facing a suspension for Tuesday's game against Houston. O'Neale has been quiet in recent weeks, but he could step into a larger role Tuesday, which would catapult him onto the streaming radar.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Retreating to bench Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale won't start Tuesday's game against the Magic.
Dillon Brooks will return to the starting lineup following an extended absence due to a fractured left hand, pushing O'Neale to the second unit. Over five outings off the bench this season, the veteran forward has averaged 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 27.6 minutes per contest.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Delivers stellar line in return
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) tallied 17 points (5-8 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal across 28 minutes Tuesday in the Suns' 125-123 loss to the Nuggets.
After missing the Suns' previous three games due to left knee soreness, O'Neale returned to his usual spot in the starting five Tuesday and supplied one of his better all-around lines of the season. O'Neale should remain a reliable streaming option for three-pointers and steals while he continues to handle a 25-plus-minute starting role, but his low usage rate (14.4 percent) and field-goal percentage (41.9 percent) cap his overall fantasy upside.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Good to go Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is available for Tuesday's game against the Nuggets.
As expected, O'Neale will shed his probable tag and return from a three-game absence due to left knee soreness. With the veteran forward back in action, there will be fewer minutes available for guys like Rasheer Fleming and Jordan Goodwin.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Likely to play Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is probable for Tuesday's game against Denver.
O'Neale has missed the previous three games due to left knee soreness but is on track to suit up Tuesday. The forward has been a fixture in Phoenix's starting lineup and is averaging 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.4 minutes per contest across his past 10 appearances.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Won't suit up Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
O'Neale will miss a third straight game due to left knee soreness, and his next opportunity to return will come Tuesday against Denver. Jordan Goodwin will likely remain in the starting five in O'Neale's absence, while Rasheer Fleming and Ryan Dunn are candidates for increased playing time.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Questionable Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Toronto.
O'Neale missed the last two contests because of left knee soreness. If he's out again, Jordan Goodwin, who posted 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in Saturday's loss to Milwaukee, is expected to remain in the starting lineup.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Doubtful for Saturday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
O'Neale is on track to miss his second straight game, which could result in another start for Jordan Goodwin. Check back for official word on O'Neale's status closer to Saturday's tipoff.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Spurs.
O'Neale will miss his first game of the season Thursday. Rasheer Fleming is a candidate to start and could get an extended look after some positive moments in recent outings.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Iffy for Thursday
Rotowire
O'Neale is questionable for Thursday's game against the Spurs due to left knee soreness.
The veteran forward is at risk of missing his first game of the season Thursday. Rasheer Fleming and Haywood Highsmith stand out as the most likely choices to join the starting lineup at power forward in the event that O'Neale is ruled out.
