Thompson Shines in Mavs Debut

Thompson wasted no time making an impact with his new squad, dropping 22 points in just 26 minutes during the Dallas Mavericks' 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Shooting a scorching 6-of-10 from three, Thompson set a record for most threes made in a Mavericks debut.

But it wasn’t just shooting, Thompson got down and dirty, contributing seven rebounds and three steals, proving his game is as versatile as ever. Luka Doncic, returning from a calf injury, praised his new teammate’s performance:

Doncic, admittedly a bit rusty, finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, despite shooting just 9-for-25 from the field. Still, it was clear, the chemistry between Doncic and Thompson is already brewing. Luka assisted on four of Thompson's seven field goals, setting the tone for what could be a dangerous duo this season.

Kings’ Late-Game Heartbreak

Sacramento fans, if you thought this year would be different, well, let’s hope it’s just the opener blues. Despite Demar DeRozan putting up 26 points in his Kings debut and a big 24-point night from Domantas Sabonis, the Timberwolves spoiled the party in a nail-biter.

Anthony Edwards was cool as ice, hitting a pair of free throws with 2.4 seconds on the clock to steal the game for the Timberwolves 117-115. And don’t forget Julius Randle, who’s settling in nicely in Minnesota with 33 points after coming over from the Knicks. Kings fans, you’ve lost six straight home openers now…but who’s counting? (We all are. Sorry.)

Thunder Strike First, Take Down Defending Champs

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their season with a bang, taking down the defending champion Denver Nuggets with a 102-87 win. This wasn’t just any win, it was a statement. Chet Holmgren put on an absolute clinic, scoring 25 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, and swatting away 4 shots. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 28 points, showing that OKC is ready to contend.

Denver had a tough shooting night, going 7-for-39 from deep. Nikola Jokic still managed a triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Aaron Gordon, fresh off his contract extension, scored 12 points, and Jamal Murray struggled with his shot, finishing with only 12 points. Looks like OKC is here to remind the league that they mean business.

Paul George Still Sideline-Sitting

Philly just can't catch a break. The 76ers announced on Thursday that Paul George and Joel Embiid will miss at least two more games. George, who suffered a bone bruise in a preseason matchup against the Hawks, will now be benched for road games against the Raptors and Pacers. No worries, though, Philly says George is “making progress”

Embiid, meanwhile, is on his own slow recovery plan for a left knee injury. Philly fans might be getting used to this routine, but it's still a tough pill to swallow when your stars are sidelined early in the season. The Sixers signed George to a $212 million contract this summer, and we’re all waiting for that investment to hit the floor again.

Pacers Hit with Bad News

James Wiseman has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, confirmed by an MRI after Wednesday’s win against the Pistons. The Pacers and Wiseman are now working together on the best treatment path moving forward.

This is a tough blow for the 22-year-old big man, who signed with Indiana after a solid season with Detroit. Wiseman’s career has already been filled with twists, he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Warriors and traded to Detroit just a few years later. Now, he faces a long road to recovery.

NBA Cup Unveils New Courts with Bold New Design

The NBA Cup is back with a facelift. The second edition of the in-season tournament will feature brand-new court designs across all 30 teams. Gone are last year’s 16-foot-wide runways stretching across the court. Instead, artist Victor Solomon has created courts that feature concentric circles radiating from center court in each team’s core colors.

The goal is to make it crystal clear to viewers that they’re not watching just another regular-season game. While some of the bright, eye-popping color schemes are toned down from last year, the bold look still sets the stage for something special.

Kawhi Leonard's Health Sparks Clippers Lawsuit

In a dramatic twist, Randy Shelton, a former strength and conditioning coach for the LA Clippers, is suing the team and president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, for wrongful termination.

Shelton’s lawsuit, filed Thursday, claims he was initially hired in 2019 as part of a calculated, multiyear effort to lure Kawhi Leonard to LA, raising potential tampering concerns. However, Shelton alleges that once on board, his access and influence over Leonard’s rehab and health management were sidelined, which he says compromised the star forward’s recovery from multiple injuries.

Shelton outlined how Leonard’s ACL recovery from the 2021 playoffs was mishandled. Despite recommending a 730-day recovery window, the Clippers reportedly rushed the process, deeming the timeline unacceptable. Even after Leonard returned in October 2022, his battle with swelling, inflammation, and subsequent injuries, like two ankle ligament ruptures and a torn meniscus, put him in and out of action.

Shelton claims his attempts to voice concerns about Leonard’s health were brushed off. His final complaint to Frank described the team's handling of Leonard’s injuries as mind-blowing and unacceptable. The lawsuit further alleges that Shelton was terminated in July 2023 after the team dismissed his concerns. Shelton now seeks significant damages, though the specific amount remains undisclosed.

Angel Reese Inks Multiyear Extension with Reebok

Rookie sensation Angel Reese has officially extended her endorsement deal with Reebok, locking in a signature shoe release set for 2026, the company told ESPN on Thursday. Reese, who was drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, now joins an elite group of WNBA athletes with their own shoe, including Breanna Stewart (Puma), Sabrina Ionescu (Nike), A'ja Wilson (Nike), Sydney Colson (Creative Control), and Caitlin Clark (Nike).

In her rookie season, Reese dominated the boards, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game, a WNBA record for a rookie, while adding 13.6 points per game. Reese set another milestone by compiling 26 double-doubles, including an astonishing 15 in a row, marking the longest streak in league history. She also became the first WNBA player to record 20+ rebounds in three straight games, and her streak of 28 games with double-digit rebounds remains unmatched.

Despite her incredible debut, Reese finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Indiana's Caitlin Clark. Reebok, however, is clearly betting on Reese’s continued rise, with the company’s head of basketball, Jide Osifeso, saying, “Reebok and Angel are growing together every day, and our visions for the future are aligned."

Parade Through the Canyon of Heroes

The streets of New York City were alive with energy on Thursday morning as the New York Liberty celebrated their historic WNBA championship with a ticker-tape parade through the famed Canyon of Heroes. This victory marked the first WNBA title for the Liberty and ended a 51-year drought since the city’s last professional basketball title.

Breanna Stewart, a native of New York, expressed her joy in front of the thousands of fans who came out to celebrate:

The Liberty secured the championship in a thrilling overtime Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center. Notable figures like Sen. Chuck Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Mayor Eric Adams were present for the festivities, alongside Liberty legends such as Teresa Weatherspoon, Vickie Johnson, Kym Hampton, and Crystal Robinson.

After the parade, fans gathered at City Hall for a ceremony where the team celebrated its long-overdue title with the city. Later that evening, the Liberty hosted a sold-out championship celebration at Barclays Center, capping off a historic day for New York basketball.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you on Monday!

— The Players Unlimited Team