Why Were There No Games on Thursday?

Once the NBA season gets rolling, it hardly ever stops, except for a few carefully chosen days. Thanksgiving, Election Day (in some years), Christmas Eve, and the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Title Game Day are the rare exceptions. But Thanksgiving’s pause has a clear reason - Football dominance.

Thanksgiving in the U.S. is synonymous with turkey, family, and football. And for good reason: the NFL has long dominated the holiday's TV lineup, which is why the NBA decided not to compete for airtime.

While Thanksgiving NBA games were common before 1982, they’ve since become relics of the past. After brief stints in the 1990s and 2000s, the league made Thanksgiving a permanent rest day starting in 2011. This year, Thanksgiving remained a basketball-free zone, and that tradition is likely to continue with the NBA’s upcoming 11-year media rights deal.

But the action resumes today. Black Friday ushers in a basketball bonanza with 10 games as the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup continues.

Great Record, Big Problems

On paper, the Warriors’ 12-6 record looks solid. But dig deeper, and it’s clear there’s a problem, closing games. Golden State has squandered multiple double-digit leads in recent weeks, turning surefire wins into painful losses.

In their last recent games, they’ve squandered massive third-quarter leads, 17 points against the Spurs and 18 against the Nets. And earlier this season, a 31-point lead against the Rockets was nearly wasted before they escaped in overtime.

The recurring issue? Curry’s rest periods. When Steph Curry leaves the floor, the offense stagnates, and opponents pounce. Jonathan Kuminga’s recent absence has only made matters worse, as his slashing ability provides a much-needed spark when Curry sits.

Kerr sticks to his minutes management principles, even when leads evaporate. While this cautious approach might pay off in the long term, it’s already cost them games in the short term. With a brutal 17-game stretch ahead, including matchups against conference heavyweights like the Nuggets, Celtics, and Bucks, these missed opportunities could haunt the Warriors.

Pacers Show the Way, Rockets Follow Suit

The Lakers may have hoisted the trophy in last year’s inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, but the true heart of the event belonged to the Indiana Pacers. Their Cinderella run captivated fans and gave their young roster a taste of high-stakes basketball that propelled them to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

This year, the Houston Rockets are channeling that same underdog energy. Clinching the West’s Group A with a dramatic 117-111 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Rockets have become the latest darlings of the NBA Cup.

But don’t expect them to charm everyone like the Pacers did. The Rockets play with grit, physicality, and a dash of trash talk. Their suffocating defense is among the league’s best, ranking neck-and-neck with the Thunder for the No. 1 spot. Could this Cinderella story have a Vegas ending? Only time will tell.

The Rookie Everyone’s Watching

Philadelphia may be languishing at the bottom of the standings, but rookie Jared McCain is giving Sixers fans a reason to tune in. The No. 16 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has been nothing short of sensational, leading all rookies with 16.6 points per game on stellar shooting splits: 46.2% from the field and 40.0% from 3.

McCain recently rattled off seven straight 20-point games, including two 30-point gems. At just 6'2", he’s making a living in a league dominated by size by studying the greats, specifically, Stephen Curry.

Like Curry, McCain thrives off relocation 3s, darting to open spots after passing the ball and punishing defenses with his lightning-quick release. While Curry’s shooting numbers remain in a league of their own, McCain is proving he belongs in the conversation as one of the league’s best young marksmen.

With a player this electrifying, the Sixers’ future suddenly looks a little brighter, even if their present remains cloudy.

The No. 1 Dilemma

The Dallas Wings won the WNBA Draft Lottery, but will they land Paige Bueckers? Talent-wise, the UConn guard is a no-brainer as the top pick. She could follow Caitlin Clark’s path as a pro-ready guard poised to elevate any WNBA team.

However, Bueckers reportedly prefers the Los Angeles Sparks, who hold the No. 2 pick. While Dallas holds the cards, questions linger about whether the Wings' unstable coaching history and smaller market might influence her decision.

Adding to the drama is the Wings' pending free agency decisions on Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard, which could reshape the team’s trajectory. With Curt Miller now serving as Dallas’ GM, the franchise is under pressure to deliver stability and a clear vision to attract Bueckers and keep its core intact.

Golden State Valkyries Prepare for Expansion Draft

As the Dallas Wings prepare to select Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, attention shifts to another major roster event, the Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft.

The league’s 12 existing teams have until Monday to protect six players each from the expansion draft pool. While star players and unrestricted free agents are generally safe, the inclusion of overseas stashed players adds an intriguing twist. The draft results will be announced on Dec. 6, bringing new talent to the WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008.

For Golden State, this draft marks the beginning of building a competitive roster in a growing league. For other teams, it’s a delicate balancing act between protecting current talent and planning for the future.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you on Monday!

— The Players Unlimited Team