The Credits: Old School

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 5: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 5, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welp, another season, another chance for someone to go 82-0 squandered. Both the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets saw their unblemished records add blemishes over the past week. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings got off the snide to nab their first wins of the season.

The Philadelphia 76ers are 8-1 atop the East. The Portland Trail Blazers are 6-1 atop the West. The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have each won six in a row. The New Orleans Pelicans have bounced back from an 0-4 start to sit .500 at 4-4. Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama keep making history and leading their teams to victory.

Here are a handful of the best stories from the past week as well as key news you may have missed.

• Hawks’ smaller lineup gives Quin Snyder another way to win — Peachtree Hoops

• Paul George is still elite and it’s time to talk about it — Celtics Blog

• Donovan Mitchell needs to shoot more, not less — Fear the Sword

• Could Denver overcome a ‘down’ year from Nikola Jokic? Absolutely not — ESPN

• Steph Curry on facing Klay Thompson: ‘Every time we play against him it’s one closer to the end’ — Yahoo Sports
• Yaxel Lendeborg is the NBA’s most entertaining rookie – and he’s not holding back — The Guardian
• Warriors withholding payments to Porzingis, sources say

• Should the drama over Kevin Durant’s shots really matter? Well, it’s complicated — The Athletic

• The Pacers are getting a sobering reminder of how fragile NBA success can be — SB Nation
• Why Are The Pacers Dealing With So Many Hamstring Injuries Already? — Forbes

• The Lakers ‘live on a spaceship,’ and Luka Dončić looks like the best damn pilot in the galaxy — Yahoo Sports
• How brotherly love — and some s— talk — made Luka Dončić feel at home with the Lakers — The Athletic

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘didn’t want to be the bad guy’ and ask for trade from Bucks, says Doc Rivers — Yahoo Sports
• Giannis is playing defense like a toddler chasing a ball — SB Nation
• Why are the Heat struggling? Look to the wings — The Athletic

• Jamahl Mosley has the New Orleans Pelicans believing — Andscape

• OKC Thunder sets Russell Westbrook jersey retirement ceremony date — The Oklahoman

• Windhorst & MacMahon: What league insiders are seeing from Philly’s 8-1 start — ESPN
• Inside LeBron’s first game in Philly — more than two decades ago — ESPN
• Now 26 years old, Tyrese Maxey’s career trajectory remains remarkable — Liberty Ballers

• The best version of Devin Booker is the one attacking early — Bright Side of the Sun

• Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori isn’t afraid to demand perfection. Just ask his son — The Athletic

• Victor Wembanyama did something only Wilt Chamberlain has done before — SB Nation

• The old Jakob Poeltl isn’t walking through that door — Raptors in 7 Substack