Cavaliers Keep Their Perfect Record Intact

The Cleveland Cavaliers just keep on winning! Their streak has now reached 13-0, making them only the sixth team in NBA history to start a season this strong. Cleveland took down a shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers squad, 114-106, with some late-game heroics from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Darius Garland, who led the team with 25 points, spoke to the Cavs’ mentality:

For Cleveland, the bar’s high, four out of the previous five teams to go 13-0 made the NBA Finals, and they’re hoping to add to that elite club.

What Can’t Wembanyama do?

San Antonio Spurs’ wunderkind, Victor Wembanyama, put up a career-high 50 points in the Spurs' 139-130 win over the Wizards. The 7-foot-4 powerhouse drained eight 3-pointers, making him not only the tallest player to hit 50 but also the fourth-youngest to do so at 20 years and 314 days. Wembanyama opened the game hot, scoring or assisting on four straight possessions within the first 67 seconds.

In the third quarter, he caught absolute fire, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and 4-for-4 from beyond the arc for a whopping 19 points in that period alone. His incredible range and rhythm kept the Wizards on their heels, with Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson saying, “The gravity he occupies is unique.”

With this outing, Wembanyama joins the exclusive club of players to post a 50-point game, a 5x5, and a 10-block game, alongside legends Anthony Davis, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson.

Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich on the Road to Recovery

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is making strides in his recovery after suffering a mild stroke. The update on his health was shared on Wednesday, ending a week of mystery about his absence. Popovich reportedly suffered the stroke at the team’s arena, and while there’s no set timeline for his return, Spurs GM Brian Wright has assured fans that Pop is doing well.

Wright expressed the Spurs’ commitment to giving their legendary coach all the time and support he needs. Popovich has already started rehabilitation and is expected to make a full recovery, though the Spurs are taking things day by day.

Sacramento Kings Face a Setback with DeRozan’s Injury

The Kings might have won big over the Phoenix Suns, 127-104, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. DeMar DeRozan, their go-to closer in clutch moments, left the game at halftime due to lower back tightness and didn’t return. So far this season, DeRozan’s been Sacramento’s fourth-quarter savior, racking up 36 clutch points, the second-best in the league.

DeRozan’s absence, paired with sixth man Malik Monk’s recent ankle injury, means the Kings could be facing some challenges over the next few games. With an average of 24.8 points per game on 52.6% shooting, DeRozan’s presence is a big part of Sacramento’s identity.

Giannis: “This Is My City!”

Giannis Antetokounmpo, poured in a season-high 59 points to push the Bucks to a 127-120 OT victory over the Pistons. This performance marks his second-highest career total, just behind his 64-point outing last season against the Pacers. Not only did Giannis hit 21 of 34 shots and 16 of 17 free throws, but he also snagged 14 rebounds and dished out seven assists, essentially doing everything but coach the team.

In overtime alone, Giannis single-handedly outscored the Pistons 11-9, making him the first Bucks player to go 5-for-5 in an OT period since play-by-play tracking began in 1996-97. This game also ties him with Kobe Bryant and Bob McAdoo for the seventh-most games with 20 made field goals in NBA history. Not a bad night, Giannis, not bad at all.

Knicks’ Rollercoaster Finish at MSG

Karl-Anthony Towns almost delivered the dream New York moment on Wednesday. After falling behind by 22 points to the Chicago Bulls, Towns sparked a massive comeback with a 46-point, 10-rebound game that gave the Knicks a shot at victory. When Jalen Brunson’s jumper put the Knicks ahead 121-119 with seconds to go, it seemed Towns had finally solidified his hero status at Madison Square Garden.

But fate had other plans. Josh Hart’s foul on Coby White’s 3-pointer gave White three clutch free throws, putting the Bulls back on top. Brunson had one last chance, but his potential game-winner rimmed out, and the Bulls escaped with a 124-123 win.

The Knicks, now at 5-6, are still working out the kinks in the Towns era. Although Towns is putting up impressive numbers, his defensive limitations are part of why the team’s consistency remains a work in progress. Yet, with Eastern rivals Milwaukee and Philadelphia also struggling, there’s still plenty of time for New York to find its rhythm. Knicks fans may need to be patient, but Towns’ grit is a good sign of things to come.

Atlanta Dream Hire Karl Smesko

The Atlanta Dream have hired Florida Gulf Coast’s Karl Smesko to lead their team, marking a major coup for the WNBA franchise. Smesko, a legend at FGCU, leaves a 23-year legacy, turning a trailer-office startup into a mid-major powerhouse with a .847 winning percentage and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Known for his fast-paced, 3-point-heavy style, Smesko’s approach is a stark contrast to former coach Tanisha Wright's defense-first system, and it could be the spark the Dream need to become a postseason threat once again.

Dream GM Dan Padover is optimistic about the shift, noting that Smesko’s fast-paced, innovative style should excite both players and fans. For FGCU, longtime associate head coach Chelsea Lyles will step up to fill Smesko’s shoes as they look to maintain their incredible run of success.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team