James Harden Debut With The Clippers

James Harden made his debut for the Los Angeles Clippers against the New York Knicks, and despite the team's loss, there were several takeaways from his first game. Harden scored 17 points in the Clippers' defeat. Clippers coach Ty Lue started Harden alongside Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook. This lineup is packed with talent, but they still need time to gel as they played together for 19.2 minutes and registered a minus-10 during that time.

Harden's skills as a pick-and-roll playmaker were evident. He's expected to enhance the Clippers' offense with his ability to make the right plays and passes, as seen with his assists to Ivica Zubac. They also ran plays for Leonard and George to utilize their individual strengths.

Leonard is seen as the best player by Coach Lue, and while sacrifices will be made, the intent is to ensure he gets his touches and opportunities to score. Harden admitted feeling a bit strange playing his first game without a preseason or full training camp with the Clippers. The team turned the ball over 22 times and seemed out of sync at times, indicating they are still trying to find their rhythm playing together.

Despite the initial struggles, there is optimism about the potential of this lineup. Coach Lue and the players believe they have the talent to figure things out and improve as the season progresses.

Scottie Barnes New Face of The Raptors

Scottie Barnes has had a remarkable start to the 2023 NBA season, showcasing significant improvement from his sophomore year. Here are some of his impressive stats so far:

• Barnes has reached the 20-point mark in six consecutive games.

• In a standout game, he scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, contributing to a comeback win.

• He is averaging 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.

These statistics reflect Barnes's growth as a player and his increasing impact on the Toronto Raptors' performance. His ability to score, rebound, and assist at high levels makes him a versatile and valuable player on the court.

Outstanding Performances of The Week

Joel Embiid - 48 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists

• Embiid delivered a dominant performance against the Washington Wizards on Monday night, scoring a season-high 48 points in just 30 minutes of play. He was particularly explosive in the third quarter, where he scored 29 points, going 10 for 10 from the floor and 9 for 9 from the free-throw line.

Jordan Hawkins - 31 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

• Hawkins had a standout performance against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, stepping up in place of the injured CJ McCollum. The rookie scored a career-high 31 points, demonstrating his shooting prowess by tying a New Orleans franchise record for three-pointers made in a game by a rookie, with seven.

Lamelo Ball - 30 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists

• LaMelo Ball delivered an exceptional performance for the Charlotte Hornets in their game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night. He achieved a triple-double, scoring a game-high 30 points, with 23 of those points coming in a remarkable fourth-quarter effort. Alongside his scoring, Ball also contributed 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

Thursday Night Football Preview

The Week 10 NFL schedule commences with a Thursday night clash at Soldier Field, where the Carolina Panthers face the Chicago Bears. In this matchup of underperforming teams, the Bears, with a 2-7 record, are favored by 3.5 points against the 1-7 Panthers. The Bears might be without Justin Fields, still recovering from a thumb injury, leaving rookie Tyson Bagnet to lead the team. Despite a notable 18-point win against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, Bagnet and the Bears have been struggling, marked by a two-game losing streak, five interceptions, and a lost fumble by Bagnet.

The Panthers, after securing their season's first victory in Week 8 against the Houston Texans, suffered a significant loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie quarterback Bruce Young, the first overall pick, contributed to the defeat with two interceptions returned for touchdowns, while the team accumulated 10 penalties. The Panthers' point differential stands at minus-86, one of the worst in the NFC.

The Bears' defense, which has conceded the fifth-highest average passing yards and the most fantasy points to quarterbacks per game, might offer an opportunity for Young to recover his form. His performance heavily depends on DJ Moore, his leading receiver with 47 catches for 735 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. Additionally, Adam Theilen has emerged as a reliable option, especially from the slot, with a team-leading 62 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns.

Fantasy Managers Injury Report

Odell Beckham - Questionable

DJ Chark - Doubtful

Justin Fields - Doubtful

Tee Higgins - Questionable

Ja’Marr Chase - Questionable

David Njoku - Questionable

Aaron Jones - Questionable

Nico Collins - Questionable

Robert Woods - Questionable

Dameon Pierce - Questionable

Zay Jones - Questionable

Matthew Stafford - Out

Jaylen Waddle - Questionable

KJ Osborn - Questionable

TJ Hockenson - Questionable

Jalen Hurts - Questionable

Tyler Lockett - Questionable

Kenneth Walker - Questionable

Curtis Samuel - Questionable