Kylen Mills, the host of the daily Locked On Warriors podcast, with your daily Locked On Warriors newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Warriors and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Klay Thompson’s Return: Celebrating the Splash Brother’s Legacy
What’s the good word Warriors fans?
It’s Charlie Walter here, and I had a good time talking about a topic that will make you feel a little warm and fuzzy when the memories are brought back up. We reminisce about the unforgettable moments from the other Splash Brother, we’re not just talking stats; we’re celebrating a legacy.
In this episode of Locked On Warriors, my co-host Matt Kolski and I break down the Warriors’ recent victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, a win that places them in a tie for first in the Western Conference. But the heart of our discussion is Klay. From his iconic 60-point game on just 11 dribbles to the legendary 37-point quarter, we’re reliving the magic that Klay brought to the court.
We also touch on the upcoming matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, a clash of styles that promises to be a thrilling watch. With Luka and Kyrie on one side and the Warriors’ dynamic play on the other, it’s a game you won’t want to miss.
And of course, we can’t forget the off-court moments that make Klay the beloved figure he is—from his Instagram live sessions on the bay to his bond with Rocco. These are the stories that define him as more than just a player.
Join us as we celebrate Klay’s return and look forward to the challenges ahead. Whether you’re tuning in on YouTube or catching the audio version, your support means the world to us. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a thumbs up, and share your favorite Klay moments with us.
Thank you for being part of the Locked on Warriors community. Let’s keep the conversation going!
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Andrew Wiggins is questionable for the Warriors’ game against the Mavericks due to an unspecified injury.
Preview The Dallas Mavericks take on the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco at 10:00 PM Eastern. Read the preview.(NBA)
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let other episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Warriors podcasts.
Could The Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry Be First 36 Year Old To Win NBA MVP?
Steph Curry has outshined three NBA MVP frontrunners to start the season, propelling the Warriors to a 9-2 start. Could he quietly be an MVP candidate with a strong season and a Warriors resurgence?
Steph Curry Scores Final 12 Golden State Warriors Points To Defeat Dallas Mavericks In Epic Game
Steph Curry gave Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks a night-night in the final moments, with Curry scoring the final 12 Golden State Warriors points, and racking up 37 total in the victory to begin NBA Cup play.
What We Learned After Golden State Warriors Blow 31-Point Lead, Win In OT Against Houston Rockets
The Golden State Warriors ran the Houston Rockets out of the gym.... For a half. How were the Dubs able to survive a momentum shift that saw their 31-point lead turn into a 4th-quarter deficit, and who led the charge?
