Sixers’ Early Season Woes Continue

The Philadelphia 76ers can’t seem to catch a break this season. Tyrese Maxey, one of their standout stars, will miss a couple of weeks with a right hamstring injury. Maxey went down in Wednesday's 110-98 loss to the LA Clippers, further extending Philadelphia’s rocky start.

The Sixers, now 1-6, have had their share of challenges. Joel Embiid's season start was delayed by knee injury management, Paul George missed the opener with a bone bruise, and Embiid faced a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter. Maxey has been carrying much of the load, but now Philadelphia will have to adjust without him as well.

There is a glimmer of hope though, Paul George just returned and Embiid is expected to make his debut next Tuesday against the New York Knicks. Though not quite at full strength, having two stars back on the court should help stabilize the Sixers.

Bucks End Six-Game Losing Streak

The Milwaukee Bucks broke their six-game losing streak with a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, following a lineup change by head coach Doc Rivers. Rivers moved second-year wing Andre Jackson into the starting lineup in place of Gary Trent Jr., giving Milwaukee the spark they needed.

In his first start of the season, Jackson contributed 7 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes. Rivers praised Jackson’s defensive intensity and athleticism, though he didn’t commit to a permanent lineup shift. Trent, who’s been in an early-season slump, shooting 28% from the field and 23% from deep, may benefit from some time off the starting rotation.

With this win, the Bucks hope to turn the corner and get back on track as they aim to integrate both veterans and emerging talent into their lineup.

Devin Vassell Returns to Spurs Lineup This Saturday

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell is set to make his season debut on Saturday against the Utah Jazz after recovering from offseason surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot. Vassell, who was the Spurs' second-leading scorer last season, put up 19.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He is going to be a key piece alongside emerging superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Vassell's return could provide the Spurs with a much-needed boost as they continue a five-game homestand, currently sitting at 4-5 after Thursday’s 118-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

However, San Antonio is still dealing with the absence of Jeremy Sochan, who’s out indefinitely with a fractured left thumb. Sochan’s defensive energy will be missed, but Vassell’s scoring could help San Antonio keep momentum on their side.

Bronny James Assigned to South Bay Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie Bronny James to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, with his debut expected this Saturday against the Salt Lake City Stars. Bronny will be on the Lakers’ roster for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers but will then rejoin South Bay.

According to Lakers coach JJ Redick, this dual-team approach for Bronny has been part of the plan since the start, with the focus on building his game and skill set.

The 55th pick in this year’s draft, Bronny has made appearances in four games with the Lakers, including his memorable NBA debut with his father LeBron James on October 22, marking a historic moment as the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together.

Warriors Set to Face The Hottest Team in The League

The Golden State Warriors are riding high with a 7-1 start and could get even stronger ahead of Friday’s matchup against the 9-0 Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors announced that De'Anthony Melton is now listed as questionable, potentially marking his return after missing five games. Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski are also listed as questionable, adding a bit of suspense to Friday's matchup.

Despite a rotating injury list that has included stars like Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins, Golden State’s depth has been exceptional. With Melton and Podziemski likely to rejoin the rotation, the Warriors could be primed to halt Cleveland's perfect season, bringing a major boost as they try to take down the NBA’s last undefeated team.

New Era of Ambition and Change

The WNBA coaching landscape is in flux like never before. This offseason, a record seven coaches were let go across the league, reflecting a new urgency to find leaders who can navigate rising expectations and increased investment in women’s basketball. In a league of only 12 teams, that level of turnover is striking.

However, building the next wave of WNBA coaches comes with unique challenges. Despite recent growth, WNBA salaries still trail behind high-profile college and NBA positions, making it hard to attract top talent long-term. Many coaching contracts offer little security, with new hires often starting with only two-year deals. This short window can make it difficult for coaches to implement a vision and for assistants to gain meaningful mentorship and career growth.

The league has made strides, though. A 2020 rule change allowing for an additional assistant coaching position for former players increased coaching opportunities for ex-WNBA athletes. High-profile NBA coaches have also transitioned to the WNBA, like Becky Hammon and Nate Tibbetts, who set new salary records in recent years.

For a growing league with higher stakes, the path forward may require inventive recruiting. Teams will need to explore beyond traditional options to find the right fit for their evolving needs, whether that’s in college, international leagues, or from the NBA and G League.

As the WNBA prepares for the future, this wave of leadership changes highlights both the league’s ambitions and the obstacles it must overcome to become a major player in professional sports.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you on Monday!

— The Players Unlimited Team