LeBron’s Still Got It

Preseason is here, and while most of us are still figuring out how to leave that summer vibe behind, the Lakers are gearing up… with LeBron and AD actually suiting up for some early action. LeBron James is on the verge of 40, but apparently, he’s still not too old for some good ol’ preseason action.

New Lakers coach JJ Redick thinks it’s important for LeBron and Anthony Davis to get some preseason reps. Redick didn’t spill the details on when or how long they'll play, but we do know they’ll be hitting the court in exhibition games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns over the weekend.

Now, we know LeBron’s already had a busy summer, snagging gold with Team USA at the Paris Olympics, so it’s safe to say he’s not rusty. But here’s the spicy bit, this preseason could also be the moment we see LeBron share the court with his son, Bronny James. It’s a possibility, but don’t get too excited just yet. The kid will likely spend most of his time in the G League during the regular season.

Tough Break in New Orleans

Things are looking a bit rough over in New Orleans. Just when Pelicans fans were getting excited about their young core, Trey Murphy III has gone and strained his hamstring. The official word is that Murphy will be out for at least three weeks, which means his return date is a big question mark, especially with the season about to tip off.

For those who missed it, Murphy was an absolute sniper last season, averaging nearly 15 points and shooting 38% from deep. This guy’s legit one of the best shooters on a team that really needs shooters.

To make matters worse, the timing is awkward with his contract extension eligibility looming. Let’s hope the injury doesn’t affect those talks because Murphy’s skill set is something you definitely want to lock in for the long haul.

The Pels are likely going to be extra cautious bringing him back. Hamstring injuries are no joke, and the last thing they want is for him to tweak it again while he’s trying to pop 3s from the corner.

Julius Randle: “I’m Ready to Win Now”

While everyone’s talking about Karl-Anthony Towns joining the Knicks and elevating New York’s title hopes, there’s another side to that story - Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo heading to Minnesota. And let’s be honest, Randle seems pretty happy to be out of New York.

Randle said, "You want to be somewhere where you feel wanted. I feel wanted here. At this point in my career, I've accomplished a lot of great things on an individual level, but I want to win a championship. This is a perfect opportunity to do that."

Now, we all know things in New York weren’t perfect for Randle. Jalen Brunson took over the spotlight, and the Knicks roster became filled with guys who made Randle a bit of an odd man out. Tough to hear your name in trade rumors all the time, right? But now, Randle’s hoping to find his groove with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves squad. And who knows? Maybe Minnesota is exactly what Randle needs to push for that elusive championship ring.

Josh Primo’s Second Chance (Sort Of) in Chicago

The Chicago Bulls are rolling the dice on former lottery pick Josh Primo, signing him to a training camp deal. But before we all get too excited about Primo lighting up the United Center, let’s pump the brakes, he didn’t even last a full workday before being waived. He barely clocked in. While it may sound like he failed a background check (just kidding… maybe), the reality is that Primo is still recovering from a left ankle injury.

The Bulls didn’t really throw him out the door though. The plan is for Primo to rehab and spend time with their G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. They’re taking a low-risk, high-reward chance on the 21-year-old, hoping that with some time and the right environment, he can unlock the potential that got him picked 12th overall in 2021.

It’s been a bumpy ride for Primo so far, playing just two NBA games last season due to injuries and off-court distractions. But if he stays focused and healthy, this could be his shot to rebuild his career. The kid’s got game, but now it’s all about staying off the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Preseason Tip-Off

The preseason action is heating up, and it’s kicking off with a bang… in Abu Dhabi. Yep, the defending NBA champs, the Boston Celtics will be facing off against the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets. It's the first time the NBA's last two champions will clash in these international exhibition games, so it should be a treat.

Game 1 is set for today, and Game 2 will follow on Sunday, Oct. 6, both at the Etihad Arena. And while it's just preseason, it’s always fun to see these elite squads going at it.

Caitlin Clark Crowned WNBA Rookie of the Year

The news is official! Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s superstar guard, has claimed the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Honestly, the only shocker here is that she didn’t win it unanimously. Well, one lone vote went to Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese (who, to be fair, had a great season herself).

Clark dominated all season long, setting records left and right, most assists in a game, most assists in a season, rookie scoring record, rookie 3-point record... you name it, she probably shattered it.

Clark's rise has been spectacular. She’s the first rookie to notch a triple-double and even nabbed a Player of the Month award. Indiana Fever fans must be over the moon as Clark and last year's Rookie of the Year, Aliyah Boston, look like a dynamic duo for years to come.

Storm's Nika Muhl Suffers Tough Blow

Unfortunately, not all the news is good today. Seattle Storm point guard Nika Muhl suffered a torn ACL while playing overseas for Besiktas. The injury came during Besiktas’ 79-63 loss to Fenerbahce in the FIBA SuperCup, and it’s a tough blow for Muhl, who had just wrapped up a solid WNBA season.

While it’s too soon to lock in a recovery timeline, there’s a real chance we won’t see Muhl on the court in 2025. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery, Nika.

WNBA Playoff Semifinals

All Eyes on Game 3 Tonight

The New York Liberty are close to booking a trip to the Finals. They’re up 2-0 against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces after an 88-84 thriller. Sabrina Ionescu and crew are showing no mercy, and history is on their side, no team has ever come back from a 2-0 hole in a best-of-five series since 2005. So yeah, things aren’t looking too bright for the Aces!

Meanwhile, the other semifinal series is heating up. The Minnesota Lynx tied things up 1-1 with a gutsy 77-70 win over the Connecticut Sun, and Game 3 is going to be a doozy tonight. Will the Sun bounce back at home, or will the Lynx keep their momentum rolling?

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you on Monday!

— The Players Unlimited Team