The NBA season is officially back and it has already brought with it some unforgettable and truly wild moments that have had fans on the edge of their seats! It’s been an exciting start to the season and it promises to be an enthralling journey as the season progresses with plenty more surprises and drama to come.
We will recap five key moments thus far.
James Harden To The Clippers!
The LA Clippers made a major move in the NBA, acquiring James Harden and P.J. Tucker in an impressive trade with the 76ers. The Clippers now have a 3-1 record and are sure to experience a shift in dynamics with the addition of Harden. The NBA community is watching intently as the team manages the star power and potential challenges that come with incorporating Harden. 2023 could be an intense spectacle for the Clippers, as James Harden’s arrival has sparked a basketball circus in Los Angeles. With the addition of these veteran players, the oldest team in the NBA has become even more seasoned – what does this mean for the future?
The Celtics Are On A Mission!
The Celtics are on a hot streak and looking to avenge their Eastern Conference Finals loss. They’ve brought in new talent, signed Jaylen Brown to the league’s biggest contract, and made a huge trade with the Wizards and Grizzlies which included Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart, and Tyus Jones. Plus, they acquired Holiday from the Trail Blazers via a Damian Lillard trade with the Bucks. It looks like the Celtics are ready to take on the competition!
It has only been four games, but it is already clear that Jayson Tatum is making tremendous strides in his game. He is averaging 29.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, while shooting an impressive 56.3% from the field and 81% from within four feet of the basket. In addition, Tatum has scored 30+ points in three of the first four games, despite only playing in the first three quarters of the last two. His ability to score at all three levels has been on full display, as he is shooting 48% from midrange and 41% from three-point range. There is no question that Tatum is continuing to take his game to the next level.
The Wemby Era Will Hit Different in San Antonio.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is already having a huge effect on both sides of the court. After being selected No.1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is shouldering immense expectations. Despite his inexperience at the NBA level, his first week of action has already been nothing short of remarkable. If there’s anything we can take away from his performance so far, it’s that Wembanyama already possesses the ability to take over games late. He’s already made multiple clutch plays in the fourth quarter, helping the Spurs win, or even come back and even have a chance. This has given us a glimpse into how dominant he could be as a game changing talent in the future.
Putting up a career-best 38 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to propel the San Antonio Spurs to a 132-121 victory against the Phoenix Suns at their home court on Thursday night. The No. 1 draft pick of this year’s draft added 10 points in the fourth quarter, which helped the Spurs hold off the Suns’ rally. San Antonio never fell behind and, in the process, swept both games of the back-to-back series in Phoenix.
Although we know it is still relatively early in his rookie season, the potential seen thus far is undoubtedly impressive. As he becomes more accustomed to the court, the results could be frightening for the rookie’s opponents.
The New In-season tournament Begins!
As questions surround the newly-implemented In-season Tournament, here’s what we know so far.
The month-long event kicks off this Friday, culminating in the NBA Cup championship game on December 9th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The commercial for the tournament features a dramatic display of the city’s glitz and glamor, narrated by a man who has taken the bodhisattva vow and voiced Whistleblower, an investigative podcast about the Tim Donaghy betting scandal.
The tournament includes a group stage and knockout rounds. All 30 NBA teams are split into six pools of five, based on their record in the previous season, with three pools in each conference. Group play consists of four games between now and November 28, with two home games and two away games for each team.
The six teams with the best record across their respective pools, plus two wild-card teams with the highest winning percentage in group play, will progress to the knockout round. Tiebreakers for the two wild-card spots will be determined first by head-to-head records among the wild-card hopefuls, then by point differential, total points scored in the tournament, regular-season record in 2022-23, and lastly, if necessary, by a random drawing.
The eight teams that advance will compete in a single-elimination quarterfinal round on December 4 and 5, with the higher seed hosting the game at their home arena. The semifinals and championship game will be held at a neutral location—T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
- Knicks at Bucks | East B | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Mavericks at Nuggets | West B | 10 p.m. | ESPN
- Cavaliers at Pacers | East A | 7 p.m.
- Wizards at Heat | East B | 8 p.m.
- Nets at Bulls | East C | 8 p.m.
- Warriors at Thunder | West C | 8 p.m.
- Grizzlies at Trail Blazers | West A | 10 p.m.
Stay tuned for more recaps as the season continues! We’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest news on your favorite NBA teams and players.
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