Just 30 minutes after helping the Raptors 905 to a win in the NBA G League, Malachi Flynn was summoned from the bubble in Orlando to join Toronto in Milwaukee where the rookie became the first player this season to play in both the NBA and G League on the same day.
Flynn produced 16 points, five assists and four rebounds on Thursday morning in a win over the Salt Lake City Stars. Immediately following the game, 905 general manager Chad Sanders approached Flynn on the team bus and said he was needed with the parent club.
With Kyle Lowry out with a thumb injury, the Raptors recalled Flynn from the 905 just in time to play versus the Bucks. Toronto managed to pull off the 110-96 win mostly without Flynn, with the 29th overall pick logging just five minutes of work.
Still, the day was rather eventful for the rookie.
“I was going to go straight to Minnesota and meet the team,” Flynn said, “and then like 10 minutes later (Chris) just asked, ‘You want to just go straight to Milwaukee?’ I said, ‘Yes. Of course.’ I had about 30 minutes to pack my bags and then got on a jet and came right (to Milwaukee). I got here with 30 minutes left (until the start of the game).”
Moment: The Doubleheader
Open Gym presented by @Bell pic.twitter.com/Jh1wDSMunu
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 19, 2021
Players appearing in both leagues on the same day is rather common since some NBA teams are in close proximity to their G League affiliates. However, it is relatively rare that an individual will play in two different states on the same day as Flynn did on Thursday.
Of course, the circumstances of this season, with the G League in a bubble environment at the Wide World of Sports Complex, have created unique situations and Flynn may not be the last to play in both leagues on the same day.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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