What are Spurs without Wembanyama?

Victor Wembanyama continues to show why he's a generational talent. The San Antonio Spurs' rising star put on a show against the Sacramento Kings, tallying a career-high 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in a thrilling 127-125 comeback victory.

The triple-double, his third, also etched his name into NBA history books as he became just the third player ever to record 30 points, 5+ threes, and 3+ blocks in a game.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Early turnovers plagued Wembanyama and the Spurs, leading to 25 points off giveaways.

Interim coach Mitch Johnson called him out for some very poor moments early on, but Wemby flipped the switch in the fourth quarter, dominating both ends of the floor to lead his team to a clutch win. For a franchise building its future around him, moments like these are priceless.

Luka Doncic Delivers Big in His Return

The Dallas Mavericks welcomed Luka Doncic back with open arms, and he didn’t disappoint. Luka dropped 36 points and 13 assists to lead the Mavericks to a 137-131 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers

Missing key players like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Dereck Lively II, Dallas still found a way to secure their fourth straight win, thanks to Luka’s brilliance. Despite missing five games with a wrist injury, Luka looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. His second-quarter scoring spree ensured the Mavs entered halftime with the lead, and his playmaking helped them close it out.

Mitchell Saves the Day in Cleveland

The Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell isn’t just an All-Star, he’s a game-changer. With Cleveland trailing the Celtics by 14 in the third quarter, Mitchell flipped the script, scoring 30 points in the second half, 20 of them in the fourth quarter alone, to secure a 115-111 victory.

Mitchell’s heroics erased memories of back-to-back losses to Atlanta and solidified Cleveland’s spot atop the NBA standings at 18-3.

In a critical sequence late in the fourth, Mitchell drained three triples in under two minutes and sealed the game with a clutch runner. For a team that has faced its first adversity of the season, Mitchell’s leadership and scoring spree couldn’t have come at a better time.

James Harden Joins the 3,000 Club

James Harden etched his name alongside Stephen Curry as the only players in NBA history to hit 3,000 career 3-pointers. Harden reached the milestone during the Clippers’ thrilling 126-122 win over the Denver Nuggets. He poured in 39 points, including six triples, and reminded everyone of his offensive prowess.

With Kawhi Leonard still sidelined and Paul George gone, Harden has taken on a larger role. Nights like this have evoked memories of his Houston Rockets days.

LaMelo Ball Out With Calf Strain

Tough news for the Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, the NBA’s second-leading scorer at 31.1 points per game, strained his left calf in the closing moments of a 98-94 loss to the Miami Heat. The Hornets announced that he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks.

This is a massive blow for a Charlotte offense already ranked 26th in the league. Without Ball’s 38.5% usage rate (second in the NBA), and reserve guard Tre Mann (third-highest usage on the team), the Hornets’ offensive identity will take a major hit.

But every dark cloud has a silver lining. With Ball sidelined, sophomore Brandon Miller has an opportunity to step into a bigger playmaking role. He hasn’t been the most efficient lately, but these reps could be crucial in his development.

Giannis’ Historic Night

Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another MVP-calibre performance in a 124-114 win over the Washington Wizards, recording the first 40-point triple-double of his career.

The Greek Freak finished with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading the Bucks to their fifth straight win.

This was his third triple-double of the season and the fourth 40-point game, keeping him atop the league scoring leaderboard at 32.9 points per game. For added context, Giannis tied Michael Jordan for eighth all-time in 35-point triple-doubles with this performance.

Rockets Edge Thunder Behind VanVleet and Brooks

Fred VanVleet had his best game of the season, dropping 38 points to help the Houston Rockets secure a nail-biting 119-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dillon Brooks came up clutch with a go-ahead jumper in the final moments, followed by defensive stops and key free throws from VanVleet.

It was the Rockets' third straight win and their fifth in six games. The victory not only avenged their earlier loss to the Thunder but also underscored the team’s steady progress under coach Ime Udoka.

With VanVleet finding his groove and Brooks delivering on both ends of the floor, Houston is beginning to solidify its identity as a resilient squad capable of pulling out close games.

Minnesota Lynx Add Coaching Firepower

The Minnesota Lynx made headlines with two high-profile coaching hires. Former Washington Mystics coach Eric Thibault joined as associate head coach, while Lynx legend and Naismith Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen returned to the team as an assistant coach.

For Thibault, the move represents an opportunity to contribute to a championship-caliber organization after leading a rebuilding effort with the Mystics. Whalen, a four-time WNBA champion with the Lynx, brings a deep understanding of the franchise’s culture and history.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you on Friday!

— The Players Unlimited Team