Are We Watching History?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have done it again, flying past the Chicago Bulls 119-113 to push their undefeated streak to 12-0. With Donovan Mitchell torching the Bulls for 36 points, the Cavs now hold the league’s only perfect record.

They’re the eighth team in NBA history to start 12-0 or better, matching their longest winning streak. Could they be on track for a run like the 2015-16 Warriors, who opened with 24 straight wins?

Mitchell was on fire, especially in the first half, hitting five 3-pointers and driving Cleveland’s momentum. When the Bulls caught up in the third quarter, the Cavs bounced back with a late 11-2 run, thanks to Evan Mobley’s alley-oop and Mitchell’s fast-break layup.

If they pull off another win against the 76ers on Wednesday, Cleveland will officially match their best streak in franchise history. Safe to say, the Cavs are making a case for contender status.

Chet Holmgren Out 8-10 Weeks with Hip Fracture

Bad news for the Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, their rising star at center, will miss at least 8-10 weeks after suffering a hip fracture in Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. The injury happened during a first-quarter play when Holmgren went up to contest Andrew Wiggins’ layup attempt. The fall looked painful, and the impact landed hard on his right hip.

Holmgren, who was averaging 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, took to social media to share his perspective on the setback, expressing both his frustration and determination to return stronger.

Holmgren’s absence puts OKC, who are off to an impressive 8-2 start, in a tough spot. They’re already short on centers, with Isaiah Hartenstein (hand fracture) and Jaylin Williams (hamstring) still sidelined. The Thunder will likely have to get creative to keep up their momentum without a full-strength lineup.

Career Night, But Just "Another Game"

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his best pro scoring night with a career-high 45 points, plus nine assists and five steals in a 134-126 win over the Clippers. But when asked about it, SGA shrugged it off as “just another basketball game.”

SGA's focus is crystal clear, making the Thunder playoff-ready. After losing to the Mavs last season, he’s determined to better prepare his young teammates for postseason intensity. With Chet Holmgren sidelined for two months due to a hip fracture and other big men out, OKC is running a smaller lineup, and it’s paying off.

The Thunder are now 9-2 and looking ready for a deeper playoff push with SGA leading the charge.

Kings Take a Hit as Malik Monk Suffers Ankle Injury

Sacramento Kings fans got some tough news: Malik Monk will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a moderate right ankle sprain. The injury happened during Sunday night’s game against the Suns when Monk accidentally stepped on Mason Plumlee’s foot while trying to close out a corner shot by Grayson Allen. Though the X-rays came back clear for structural damage, the Kings will feel Monk’s absence.

Malik has been lighting it up this season, averaging 13.6 points, 3 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists in just 25 minutes per game. He’s been a steady sixth man. Losing Monk is tough, but Kings coach Mike Brown emphasized the next-man-up mentality. The Kings, now 6-4, will need every bit of it as they work to stay competitive in the West.

Wembanyama Goes Off

Victor Wembanyama isn’t just showing up; he’s showing out. The 20-year-old Spurs star put up 34 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks in a commanding 116-96 win over the Sacramento Kings.

This marked his 12th career 30-point game and first of the season, adding him to an elite list of players to hit 1,700+ points, 800+ rebounds, and 300+ assists in their first 82 games. He’s in the company of legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Bird.

Wemby’s shooting was on point, especially from deep. After a shaky start, he’s finding his rhythm, going 12-of-21 from 3-point range over the past two games. He’s taking smarter shots, focusing on quality over quantity.

On the defensive end, Wemby’s making his presence felt with his fifth consecutive game recording three or more blocks, a feat he’s inching closer to surpassing from last season. Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson praised his star player, saying the team always had faith in his shot-making abilities.

Milwaukee Bucks in Crisis

In Milwaukee, things are looking rough on the injury front. Damian Lillard is out for Tuesday’s game against the Raptors due to concussion protocol. Add to that Khris Middleton, who still hasn’t debuted this season post-surgery, and the Bucks are facing some serious setbacks.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with patella tendinopathy but is listed as probable, while Andre Jackson Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. are also banged up. The Bucks, sitting at 2-8, will need all hands on deck as they aim to snap a two-game skid against the 2-9 Raptors, who have lost four straight themselves.

Candace Parker’s Big Plans

Candace Parker may have left the court, but she’s far from done making waves in basketball. In a recent appearance on Bloomberg's The Deal podcast, Parker doubled down on her ambition to own an NBA and WNBA team, a goal she’s tackling with the same fire she brought to the game.

With investments in Avenue Capital (co-founded by former Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry) and a new role as Adidas’ President of Women’s Basketball, Parker is positioning herself to make serious moves in the business world.

For Parker, it's about fostering impactful investments in women’s sports. She shared that one of her first questions for Lasry was about dedicated funding for women’s sports, and she’s intent on driving that impact forward.

Her journey from athlete to potential team owner reflects her relentless drive to shape the future of basketball, both on and off the court. With team valuations on the rise, Parker’s vision might just be closer to reality than ever.

Ohio State Basketball Welcomes Back Katie Smith and Jacy Sheldon

Ohio State is tapping into some familiar faces for their women’s basketball program this season. Legendary former Buckeye and WNBA coach Katie Smith joins as Kevin McGuff’s fourth assistant, while Jacy Sheldon steps into the role of Director of Player Development. Sheldon, fresh off her rookie year with the Dallas Wings, will also focus on rehabbing a leg injury she sustained, keeping her stateside during the WNBA offseason.

Coach McGuff emphasized his aim of developing well-rounded players both on and off the court, noting that Smith and Sheldon are perfect for the job. Sheldon expressed excitement about how her new role will help her gain new perspectives to strengthen her own game in the WNBA. Looks like Buckeye fans will have a lot to cheer about this season, on and off the court.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team