Warriors Go Full Splash Mode Raining Threes

The Golden State Warriors are back at it. In typical Warriors fashion, they’ve decided that shooting a 3 is not just a preference but a full-blown personality. The Golden State Warriors decided to treat the Sacramento Kings to a little 3-point clinic on Wednesday night, sinking a ridiculous 28 triples. Yes, 28! That’s the most in Warriors history, and I think the rims are still recovering.

Kerr is keeping things fluid as he tests different player combos with a new-look roster, but one thing’s clear: fast-paced offense and high-volume 3-point shooting are not going anywhere. Kerr doesn't seem to have a specific quota of 3s in mind, but when your team sinks more than half their attempts (28 of 52), who’s complaining?

He’s pushing for a 3-point barrage from everyone, not just Steph Curry. Klay Thompson may be gone, but don’t worry, Kerr’s got a plan: All hands on deck with shooters like Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, and even Brandin Podziemski stepping up to fill that gap. With Wiggins aiming for 6-7 attempts a night, Buddy Hield casually going 6-for-7, and Kuminga hitting 4-of-7, this team is all about volume. If this preseason performance is any indicator, it’s going to be a long season for opposing defenses chasing the Warriors around the arc.

Mavs Hit with a Big Blow

Just when things were looking up for the Dallas Mavericks, bad news hits. Guard Dante Exum is sidelined for three months after undergoing wrist surgery. Exum, who had a solid comeback season last year after spending time overseas, is a unique piece in the Mavs' puzzle. He was doing all the little things, connecting the offense, pushing the pace, and locking up on defense.

Now, with Exum on the shelf, the Mavericks are leaning even more on Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Jaden Hardy to hold it down. For Dallas, that’s a lot of pressure on their backcourt, and we’ll have to see if they can weather this early storm.

LeBron's Isn’t a Fan of Minutes Restriction

LeBron James is gearing up for a record-tying 22nd season, and even though he’s pushing 40, the King isn’t ready to slow down anytime soon. Injuries have been a nuisance in recent years, but when he's healthy, he's still the guy on the court, just ask his competition from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

But here’s the thing, last season, LeBron wasn’t exactly thrilled about being put on a minutes restriction. In the new Netflix docuseries Starting 5, LeBron vented about being benched in the Lakers’ season opener against the Denver Nuggets. Despite playing just 29 minutes, he managed 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, James felt the restriction was, in his words, garbage.

For someone who’s been performing at an All-Star level for two decades, it’s easy to see why. In that game, LeBron played just 29 minutes and finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. The Lakers lost by 12, and LeBron believes that with more time on the court, they could’ve snagged the W.

"The minutes restriction is something I don't agree with... there’s nobody that gets me more than me," LeBron said in the documentary. And guess what? By the next game, that restriction was thrown out the window, he played 35 minutes in a win over the Suns.

LeBron vs. The Preseason Schedule

As if a minutes restriction wasn’t enough, LeBron’s also been vocal about something else: the Lakers’ preseason travel schedule. After two home losses, the Lakers are hitting the road to face the Bucks in Milwaukee, and LeBron took to social media to vent his frustrations.

LeBron, along with new head coach JJ Redick, isn’t exactly thrilled about the trek to the Midwest, especially when teams typically stick to more regional games. The Lakers have matchups against the Warriors and Suns lined up, but a cross-country flight for a preseason game? LeBron’s not here for it.

Still, there’s a silver lining: this game against the Bucks might feature the first road appearance for LeBron alongside his son, Bronny. So, while the travel may be a headache, seeing father and son on the court together? Totally worth it.

The 2024 WNBA Finals Preview

The 2024 WNBA Finals are about to kick off, and if you’ve been following the season closely, you know this matchup is one for the ages. The New York Liberty, who have been an absolute force all year, are ready to chase down their first-ever championship after falling short in 2023. But standing in their way is the Minnesota Lynx, a team that’s been a thorn in their side all season long.

Let’s not forget, Minnesota is no stranger to lifting that championship trophy, having done it four times already. And despite their slightly bumpier road to the Finals, don’t sleep on them. After battling through a tough series against Connecticut, the Lynx are more battle-tested than ever and hungry for that fifth title.

A Tough Road for New York

The Liberty were the best team during the regular season with a stellar 32-8 record. Yet, if there’s one team that consistently made life tough for them, it’s the Lynx. New York’s juggernaut offense, which was elite all year (averaging 107 points per 100 possessions), faltered whenever they faced Minnesota’s second-best defense. Two of their regular-season losses were to the Lynx, and who could forget that nail-biting Commissioner’s Cup Championship loss in June?

Ionescu vs. Collier

You couldn’t ask for a better matchup of superstars. The Liberty have Sabrina Ionescu, the offensive powerhouse who’s led them all year, but even she had some struggles against Minnesota’s suffocating defense.

Meanwhile, the Lynx counter with their own all-world forward in Napheesa Collier, who’s been a force on both ends of the floor and continues to shine under the brightest lights.

Minnesota’s gritty defense slowed down New York’s fast-paced offense during the season, but Liberty coach Sandy Brondello made it clear: “I don’t think they’ve seen us at our best.” Whether the Liberty can bring their A-game to the Finals remains to be seen.

Who Has the Edge?

Statistically, these two teams are neck-and-neck. Since the Olympics break, Minnesota had the best record at 13-2, while New York wasn’t far behind at 11-4. They also boast two of the top-four offenses and defenses in the league.

So, what’s the difference-maker? Many believe it’ll come down to whether Minnesota’s defense can continue to frustrate New York’s offense like they did in the regular season. The Liberty struggled to find rhythm against the Lynx all year, and without their usual efficiency, it could be an uphill battle.

Game 1 tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Today. Will the Liberty finally get over the hump and claim their first-ever title? Or will the Lynx add a fifth championship banner to the rafters? Either way, this series is guaranteed to be a must-watch.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team