The Paul George Problem – Already?

Philadelphia 76ers fans spent the whole year dreaming of a powerhouse trio: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, ready to bring some serious championship vibes to Philly. But as we all know, basketball…and life, doesn’t always go according to plan.

In just his second preseason game as a Sixer, George faced the Atlanta Hawks and things were looking good, until the second quarter. While defending Jalen Johnson, a minor push turned into a major problem when George hyperextended his left knee and dropped to the floor in pain.

Coach Nick Nurse said, “We were just trying to work him into things,” and well… now they’ll be working him into recovery.  The 76ers are crossing their fingers that George will be ready for the season opener against the Bucks on October 23rd. George has missed his fair share of games over the years, and at 34, injuries seem to keep following him. Let’s just hope Paul George won’t be playing more minutes in the team’s medical bay than on the court this year.

Ben Simmons Brings the Heat in Preseason Showdown

After an okay-ish showing in the preseason opener last week, Simmons came out firing on all cylinders in Monday night’s 131-92 victory.

Simmons attacked the basket with ruthless determination right from the jump, hitting the paint hard on three consecutive possessions to start the game. But his aggressive defense got the better of him when Kyle Kuzma hit him with a jab step that sent Simmons to the floor. But here’s the kicker, Kuzma completely botched the shot afterward, so at least Simmons can smile about that.

Still, don’t let one ankle-breaking moment overshadow what Simmons did in the first half. He racked up 11 points on an efficient 71% shooting, along with five rebounds and two assists, reminding everyone he’s still got plenty of game. As Brooklyn gears up for the season, Simmons’ determination could be just what the Nets need.

Kawhi Leonard’s Knee Still Playing Hard to Get

Meanwhile, over on the West Coast, it’s like deja vu for the LA Clippers. Kawhi Leonard's knee is acting up again. The Clippers announced that Leonard will sit out for the rest of the preseason due to lingering inflammation in his right knee, which has been through more surgeries than most people can count.

Kawhi hasn’t played at all in the preseason, and the big question now is whether he’ll be ready for the season opener on Oct. 23. "We’re making sure his knee is strong," Lue said, carefully skirting the frustration that must be building.

The Clippers are being cautious, after all, Kawhi’s knee has been through a lot, with both ACL and meniscus surgeries. The two-time Finals MVP is apparently feeling better, but as we’ve learned with Kawhi, his return will be slow and steady. He’s determined to avoid any more mid-season inflammation parties, which is probably wise as you can’t lead your team to the Finals from the bench.

Lonzo Ball’s Long-Awaited Return

More than 1,000 days have passed since Lonzo Ball last suited up in an NBA game. A number so high, you might’ve forgotten he even played for the Bulls. But the wait is over! After three knee surgeries, countless rehab sessions, and a lot of setbacks, Ball is set to make his return Wednesday night in the Bulls’ preseason game against the Timberwolves.

Ball has been through it all, meniscus tears, arthroscopic surgeries, and even an experimental cartilage transplant. Now, after two and a half seasons of missed games, he’s finally ready to lace up for the Bulls once more. He has his sights set on the regular season opener on Oct. 23 against the Pelicans, but first things first, he needs to get through this preseason test. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that Lonzo’s knee holds up. The Bulls could certainly use his playmaking, defense, and court vision.

De'Aaron Fox Is Playing the Long Game

De'Aaron Fox is thinking long-term, and he’s playing it smart. Fox had the option to sign a three-year, $165 million extension this year, but he and his agent, Rich Paul, are passing on that. Why? Well, it’s all about the Benjamins, and timing.

By waiting until 2025, Fox opens the door to a much larger payday. He could sign a four-year, $229 million extension with the Kings, or if he makes an All-NBA team (which seems possible given how he's been playing), he could cash in on a five-year, $345 million supermax deal.

Fox has been an absolute beast for the Kings, putting up a career-high 26.6 points per game last season and proving to be a clutch performer in the fourth quarter, ranking second in total points behind his new teammate, DeMar DeRozan. It’s no wonder the Kings want to keep him around for the long haul.

Kings Make Roster Moves, Shaking Things Up

Just when we thought the Sacramento Kings were settling into their groove, they pulled off a surprising move with just 10 days left before the NBA season tips off. Sacramento traded forward Jalen McDaniels and a second-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs. But what’s interesting is that the Spurs plan to waive McDaniels after the trade is finalized.

McDaniels, who was just acquired this offseason in a deal with the Raptors, is about to be back on the market. Sacramento seems to be playing the long game and is looking to get some roster flexibility before the regular season begins. He has averaged 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds over his career so far, solid numbers, but the Kings are clearly focused on their bigger picture.

WNBA Finals

It's Anyone's Game

The WNBA Finals are proving to be the thrilling rollercoaster we all hoped for. After the Minnesota Lynx pulled off a stunning comeback in Game 1, erasing an 18-point deficit to win in overtime, the New York Liberty stormed back with a commanding 80-66 victory in Game 2.

And now with the series tied at 1-1, everything shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Wednesday night. The energy is electric, and both teams are playing at an incredibly high level. Who’s got the upper hand? We’ll have to wait and see.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team