E.K. Johnson

Quick Update

The San Antonio Spurs improved to 4-2 in their 121-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. Victor Wembanyama as incredible scoring 43 PTS with 7 REB & 6 BLK on 17/34 FG shooting. He was able to not only score the basketball in the paint (off ball cuts, post scoring, lobs, etc), he was also able to utilize his improved isolation ball handling to either convert from the perimeter or get to his midrange spots off the dribble. Dylan Harper was amazing as well scoring 25 PTS with 7 REB & 6 AST on 9/17 FG shooting & 2/5, 3 PT shooting. Harper was able to get downhill, using his on-ball speed and quick first step to get to the basket in the halfcourt and in transition. On the season Harper has been very good to start averaging 18.5 PPG with 5.5 RPG & 4.8 APG on 47.3% FG shooting. With Wembanyama & Harper clearly being the Spurs two best players so far, expect to see them continue to accumulate victories as the season moves forward.

The Portland Trailblazers were able to improve to 4-1 in their 112-90 victory over the Utah Jazz last night. The duo of Deni Avdija and Damian Lillard were great for Portland with Avdija scoring 24 PTS with 5 REB on 6/12 FG shooting while Lillard added 22 PTS with 5 REB, 4 AST and 2 STL. Avdija was able to get to the rim off the dribble, either finishing through contact or getting to the FT line (he shot 10/13 from the FT). Lillard was able to stretch the defense with his 3 PT shooting, get to his midrange spots off the dribble and get to the rim using his size. With the Trailblazers being one of the best offenses in the NBA to start the season, expect to see them continue to play at a high level as the season progresses.

We need to show some love to the Houston Rockets who were able to improve to 6-1 in their 119-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jabari Smith Jr. was amazing scoring 30 PTS with 9 REB & 5 AST on 10/18 FG shooting & 6/12, 3 PT shooting. Smith Jr, was able to utilize his ability to re-locate without the ball to shoot the ball, come off of the curls into his one to two dribble pull-ups, and get to the rim off the dribble. Smith Jr has looked incredible to start the season averaging 19.0 PPG with 5.9 RPG on 48.9% FG shooting & 44.7% 3 PT shooting. He has increased his overall field goal and 3 PT attempts this season, providing another viable scoring option for the red-hot Houston Rockets. Expect to see Smith Jr. continue his great play for the Rockets as the season continues to move forward.

The New Orleans Pelicans were able to improve to 2-4 in their 121-99 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Saddiq Bey was amazing scoring 25 PTS with 6 REB & 4 STL on 9/13 FG shooting. On the season. Bey has been good off the bench for the Pelicans averaging 15.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 1.8 SPG on 50.0% FG shooting. Bey has been able to shoot the ball from the perimeter and create off the dribble, leading the Pelicans second unit and should be expected to continue his good scoring off the bench as the season progresses.

We need to show some major love to the Golden State Valkyries, who won their first WNBA title in just their 2nd season in existence, beating the Atlanta Dream, 68-63 in Game 7 last night. Gabby Williams put together a generational Game 7 performance, scoring 30 PTS with 2 STL and 4 BLK on 10/23 FG shooting and 4/8, 3 PT shooting en route to winning the WNBA Finals MVP as she averaged the following throughout the 7-game series:  19.6 PPG 2.6 SPG  89.7% FT shooting  Although the struggled to shoot the ball through the first 6 games of the finals, Williams was able to get loose in the 3rd quarter game 7 scoring 15 of her 30 PTS in that period. She was able to create space on the perimeter and convert from 3 PT range in addition to being able to use her size and length to score shorter defenders in the midrange. As a team, the Valkyries were able to slightly win the TO battle, 11-12 while forcing the Dream to shoot 33% from the field (specifically forcing the trio of Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray to shoot a combined 14/38 or 36.8% from the field). The Valkyries became not only the fastest expansion team to win a championship, doing so in just their second season; they also became the first WNBA team to win a championship without an All-WNBA Team players on the roster.  Once again, major congratulations to the Golden State Valkyries, their front office, and their fanbase for capturing the 2026 WNBA Championship!

Story of the game: Gabby Williams in the second half: 26 points Atlanta Dream in the second half: 27 points AND SHE DIDNT SEE ONE DOUBLE TEAM FOR THE ENTIRE SECOND HALF CONGRATS TO THE VALKYRIES FOR CAPITALIZING ON ATLANTAS FLAWED SECOND HALF DEFENSIVE STRATEGY

Congrats to the Golden State Valkyries who in their 2nd season in existence are WNBA Champions A team built off of cast-offs A team built on 0 All WNBA Players No fancy names Just defense, timely shot making, and grit This is a lesson to all of sports Fuck the names, the play is what will always matter.

I will forever say that Coach Smesko sold this game when he didn’t send multiple bodies at Gabby to start the 4th quarter.

Gabby Williams should be seeing doubles everytime she touches the ball man

Gabby Williams with the best quarter of her life man. 15 PTS in the 3rd quarter alone and the Valkyries are 1 quarter away

VB getting to that bump fade something serious right now. On the Atlanta side of things, this is a game Taylor made for tough shot making via Allisha Gray & Jordin Canada

The Denver Nuggets were able to improve to 3-2 in their 127-120 win over the Phoenix Suns last night. The duo of Jamal Murray and Christian Braun were incredible with Murray scoring 39 PTS with 8 REB & 5 AST on 10/18 FG shooting & 7/9, 3 PT shooting. Braun added 31 PTS with 3 STL on 11/16 FG shooting & 7/9, 3 PT shooting. Both Murray and Braun were incredible efficient from 3 PT range, converting from the perimeter both through off ball movement and through their ability to create space on the perimeter due to their on ball playmaking. Both Braun and Murray also made Denver Nuggets franchise history becoming the first duo to have 7 + made 3 pointers in the same game. With the Nuggets getting a much-needed breakout game from Christian Braun, expect to see them continue to accumulate solid victories throughout the regular season.

The Miami Heat were able to improve to 2-4 in their 145-125 win over the Indiana Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo was amazing scoring 31 PTS with, 18 REB, & 10 AST on 13/19 FG shooting. Antetokounmpo was able to score the basketball effectively, getting downhill and attacking the basket. On the season Antetokounmpo has been incredible for the Heat averaging 28.2 PPG with 12.3 RPG & 5.5 APG on 58.6% FG shooting and should be expected to continue his great play for the Heat as the season moves forward.

The Philadelphia 76ers improved to 5-1 in their 98-93 victory over the New York Knicks last night. The trio of Tyrese Maxey, Anfernee Simons and Lebron James led the way for the Sixers as Maxey scored 27 PTS with 4 REB, & 4 AST on 10/19 FG shooting, James scored 20 PTS with 9 REB & 8 AST on 8/15 FG shooting & Simons scored 21 PTS with 7/11 FG shooting & 5/8, 3 PT shooting. Maxey was explosive with the ball in his hands, initiating the offense and utilizing his quick first step to get to his spots with relative ease. Simons was incredible off the bench, shooting the ball from the perimeter with extreme accuracy both off ball and on ball. James was able to score the ball in transition and in the half court using his size to establish low post position and his touch to finish around the rim. It was James's first 20 PT game for the Sixers. Maxey continued to look like the best shooting guard in the NBA as he is currently averaging 28.2 PPG with 4.2 RPG, 4.5 APG & 1.7 SPG on 47.4% FG shooting and should be expected to continue his incredible play at the season moves forward.

The Number 1 overall 2026 draft pick, AJ Dybantsa has looked good in his first two games as he tallied 19 PTS on 8/12 FG shooting Wednesday evening against the Cleveland Cavaliers & 17 PTS with 8 REB on 5/11 FG shooting in the Wizards 95-79 win over the Charlotte Hornets last night. Dybantsa has proven to be an extremely athletic forward who can put the ball on the floor and create his own shots in isolation. He can also drive the basketball and attack the rim. With Dybantsa integrating himself with the Wizards team that is now 3-3 on the season, expect to see him continue to play as a very good level as the season progresses.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were able to improve to 4-2 on the season, in their first In Season Tournament win of the year, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 127-101. Without the services of Anthony Edwards (who is currently injured and will be out for 2 months with a right knee injury), the trio of Lamelo Ball, Bones Hyland and Jaden McDaniels were great against the Clippers. Ball scored 24 PTS with 7 AST & 2 STL on 9/20 FG shooting; Hyland came off the bench to score 19 PTS with 8 AST on 8/16 FG shooting & McDaniels scored 23 PTS with 6 REB & 7 AST on 11/15 FG shooting. As a team the Timberwolves shot 54% from the field and 43% from 3 PT range mostly due to Ball's and Hylands ability to create space in isolation (especially on the perimeter) & due to McDaniels improved midrange scoring, off ball movement and transition scoring. Expect to see the Timberwolves continue to win games by committee while Edwards remains inactive.

That last defensive sequence by Amen, Tari and Bari is exactly why I have so much faith in this team. #AllFire

NBA Fun Fact: Although the Sacramento Kings are 0-5 on the season, their rookie guard out of Arkansas, Darius Acuff Jr. has been incredible for them. He is currently averaging 24.0 PPG with 6.6 APG and has already posted 2, 30 + PT games to start the season. Last night, Acuff Jr. scored 34 PTS with 14 AST and 6 REB on 13/26 FG shooting showcasing his ability to get to the rim and create in isolation. He has very good end to end speed, utilizes counters well and can make plays out of the high P&R and off ball. Expect to see Acuff Jr continue to showcase his scoring and playmaking abilities for the Kings as this season continues to progress.

The Memphis Grizzlies improved to 5-0 on the season (the first time since 2014-2015) in their impressive 124-103 victory over the Portland Trailblazers last night. 8 Grizzlies players finished with double figure scoring, led by rookie forward Cameron Boozer who scored 18 PTS with 12 REB and 12 AST on 6/10 FG shooting and 4/5, 3 PT shooting. He became the 2nd youngest player in the NBA history to record a triple double (2nd only to Josh Giddey in 2022). Boozer was able to score the basketball in transition and in the halfcourt utilizing his huge frame and natural touch around the rim. He was also able to float to the 3 PT line to showcase his ability to shoot the ball from a distance. Boozer (although he has not shot the ball well to start) has been very good for the undefeated Grizzlies averaging 15.4 PPG, 10.8 RPG & 6.2 APG. Expect to see this deep and young Memphis team continue to surprise the NBA with their play as the season moves forward.

We need to show some major love to the Atlanta Dream who were able to tie up the WNBA Finals, 3-3, in their crucial 80-69 victory over the Golden State Valkyries yesterday afternoon. The duo of Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were amazing for the Dream with Howard scoring 21 PTS with 4 REB & 4 AST on 6/11 FG shooting & 4/6, 3 PT shooting. Gray added 23 PTS with 6 REB & 2 STL on 8/12 FG shooting and 5/7, 3 PT shooting. It was the first game of the postseason where both Howard and Gray scored over 20 + PTS on 50.0% + FG shooting. Angel Reese added 15 PTS with 14 REB and 6 AST with 2 made 3's, showcasing her improved offensive versatility. The Dream were able to win this game simply due to their 3 PT shooting, shooting 13/30 (43.3%) while the Valkyries only shot 7/27 (25.9%) from 3 PT range, a +18 PT differential for the Dream. Expect to see the Dream look to get out to another great start in Game 7 (they won the 1st quarter 32-15 yesterday) in an attempt to control the majority of the game and win their first WNBA title in franchise history.