Warriors Show Their Grit

For the Celtics, this game held extra meaning. Head coach Steve Kerr was met with boos during pregame introductions due to his Team USA coaching decision to bench Jayson Tatum for part of the Olympics. Tatum, possibly with something to prove, roared back in the third quarter, scoring 17 of his game-high 30 points and nearly swinging the game in Boston’s favor.

However, the Golden State Warriors edged out the Boston Celtics 118-112 at TD Garden, showing just how close they are to joining the NBA’s elite this season. Stephen Curry led the charge with 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and four steals, lifting the Warriors to a 7-1 record and an undefeated 5-0 start on the road.

After trailing by 11 points early due to a sluggish start, the Warriors found their energy off the bench. Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield sparked a 16-5 run, helping Golden State establish a lead they wouldn’t surrender until the Celtics mounted a late-game comeback. By halftime, the Warriors were up by 11, but Boston wouldn’t go down easily.

Though he had a quiet first half, Curry exploded in the second, scoring 21 points after the break. He was there for every Celtics surge, putting up 11 points in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth, ultimately sealing the win. Curry also hit a personal milestone, moving to 30th on the all-time scoring list, surpassing longtime Warriors critic Charles Barkley.

LeBron James’ 39 Points Not Enough as Lakers Fall to Grizzlies

Despite an impressive 39-point performance from LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t fend off the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 131-114 in the final game of their road trip. Playing without Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers struggled to keep up, especially as Memphis went on a key run late in the game.

James showed no signs of slowing down, hitting six three-pointers and attacking the paint to keep the Lakers within striking distance. Postgame, Redick praised the nearly 40-year-old James for playing with unmatched intensity, but the Lakers couldn’t maintain his level of energy and effort throughout the game.

Rookie Zaccharie Risacher Has Breakout Game in Hawks’ Victory

Zaccharie Risacher had a career night on Wednesday, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 121-116 victory over the New York Knicks. Playing his fourth game in six days, the 19-year-old rookie scored a season-high 33 points along with seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.

Risacher, who was the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, became the first rookie this season to score 30-plus points in a game. He joins an elite group of players, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant, as one of only five players under 20 to score 30 points with multiple blocks and steals.

Shooting had been a struggle for Risacher early in the season, but he found his rhythm, hitting 6-of-10 from beyond the arc and shooting 11-for-18 from the field. Hawks coach Quin Snyder has encouraged Risacher to keep shooting through his rough patches, and the support clearly paid off as teammates celebrated his breakout performance in the locker room.

Cavs Set Franchise Record with 9-0 Start

The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their incredible opening run, hitting 9-0 for the first time in franchise history with a 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s a milestone not seen in Cleveland since their inaugural NBA season in 1970-71!

Atkinson, who became the first NBA coach to start 9-0 with a new team, reflected on the importance of celebrating the team’s early success in a long and grueling season.

Paul George's Return to L.A. is Met With Boos

Paul George faced a chilly reception in his return to Los Angeles with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Fans at the Intuit Dome greeted the former Clippers star with boos and even a “PG sucks” chant as George took the court. George, who signed a four-year, $212 million deal with Philadelphia in the offseason, acknowledged that leaving the Clippers was a tough decision, especially considering his strong relationships with owner Steve Ballmer and president Lawrence Frank.

Before the game, George reflected on the Clippers’ stalled contract negotiations that ultimately led him to Philadelphia. Talks for a three-year extension broke down after George pushed for a longer deal or a no-trade clause, which the Clippers weren’t willing to grant.

Rockets Dominate Spurs in Texas Rivalry

The Houston Rockets capped off their three-game homestand with a commanding 127-100 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Veteran guard Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with a team-high 21 points, 10 assists, and an impressive 90.9% shooting.

VanVleet made history by becoming the first NBA guard since 2003 to record at least 20 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds while shooting over 90% from the field in a game.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks but struggled to find his rhythm against Houston’s stifling defense. The Rockets held Wembanyama to 42.9% shooting and forced him into 4 turnovers. Houston’s teamwork was on full display, with 28 assists to just 11 turnovers and an overall shooting percentage of 56.3%.

Ja Morant Leaves Grizzlies Win with Hamstring Injury

Ja Morant exited early in the Memphis Grizzlies' 131-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers due to a hamstring injury. Attempting an alley-oop dunk in the third quarter, Morant missed the rim and landed awkwardly on the baseline. Limping, he called for a substitution and walked into the tunnel.

The Grizzlies listed him as doubtful to return, and while Morant was seen on an exercise bike in the fourth quarter, he didn’t re-enter the game. He finished the night with 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds.

League's Leadership Overhaul Reflects New Era of Growth

The WNBA is experiencing a season of rapid change, with major leadership turnovers across the league as teams set their sights on the future. Seven franchises, Atlanta, Indiana, Los Angeles, Connecticut, Washington, Dallas, and Chicago, have all parted ways with their head coaches this offseason, reflecting the intense push to position teams for success in an evolving, competitive league.

A major reason for the league's quick leadership overhaul lies in the upcoming 2025 expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Many WNBA players, including stars like Kelsey Plum and Kelsey Mitchell, opted for shorter contracts to maximize potential earnings under a new CBA, which is expected to allow for a softened salary cap, higher pay, and greater investment in player facilities.

The WNBA's addition of three new franchises, Toronto, Golden State, and Portland, is adding pressure on other team owners to step up investments. This expansion not only increases the league’s reach but also its financial and competitive standards, driving the need for strong front-office and coaching leadership.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team