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The preseason is wrapping up, and we’re beginning to get a sense of what every team looks like going into the regular season. Which, of course, means we’re ready for the Bulls to return to form and win the 2025 Finals. Obviously.

Today’s Lineup

Preseason Headlines

Lonzo Ball returns to NBA after missing extended… extended… time due to knee injury

It had been 1,006 days since the last time Lonzo Ball had seen an NBA court when he checked in during the Bulls’ preseason game against Minnesota on Wednesday, and ZO2 didn’t waste a second showing Chicago fans (and the NBA world at large) what they had been missing all these years. After hitting two threes within just minutes of coming into the game, Ball ended his first NBA game back (preseason, we know) with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. A happy and healthy Lonzo makes us happy too!

Kawhi out indefinitely to rehab knee inflammation

Now for some less uplifting news…

Newly minted ESPN insider Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Clippers would be holding Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely as he rehabs the inflammation in his right knee, meaning the Klaw won’t be available for the start of the season and could potentially miss much more. Prayers up to Kawhi—we just know he and Harden on the court together will be magical once it comes to fruition.

Thunder to miss Isaiah Hartenstein for 5-6 weeks after hand fracture

What’s up with all these Western Conference teams and getting injured?!? Oklahoma City announced that new addition Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a small fracture in his hand during their preseason game against Denver and is set to be re-evaluated after five or six weeks. Big man size was a huge need for the Thunder last last season, so let’s hope I-Hart is able to contribute well when he gets back healthy!

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Top Five Friday

Most Improved Player is historically one of the hardest end-of-season awards to predict, but that won’t stop us! Here are five contenders we think could take a big jump and earn some hardware come April.

1. Jonathan Kuminga, GS

The 2022 NBA champion took a HUGE jump last season, averaging substantially more points while increasing his overall efficiency from the field as well. New Warrior Kyle Anderson will also be in the mix for Golden State’s power forward minutes, but Kuminga is primed for a big year.

2. Jalen Williams, OKC

Entering his third season with the Thunder, it seems like there’s nowhere for Jalen Williams’ stock to go other than 🆙 🆙 🆙. With not very many other forwards on the Thunder’s roster (it’ll be Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams backing J-Dub up), this might be the year Williams takes home an MIP.

3. Josh Giddey, CHI

Giddey got shipped from Oklahoma City to Chicago this offseason in exchange for Alex Caruso, and the change in scenery might be what he needed to reach the next level. Chicago’s guard room is bordering on overcrowded, but if the Bulls trade Zach LaVine and HC Billy Donovan likes what he sees from Josh Giddey over Ayo Dosunmu, he might be primed for a breakout year.

4. Jalen Johnson, ATL

Johnson was in the mix for MIP this past year, but we think his increased role from last season to this one could prove instrumental in JJ’s true ascendance into the national conversation. He’ll be the more experienced of Atlanta’s starting forwards (the other being rookie Zaccharie Risacher) and is in position to take a big jump going into his fourth NBA season.

5. Victor Wembanyama, SAS

You thought we would forget The Alien? Although people have been debating whether Wemby should even deserve the award if he takes a big jump (‘cause that’s what a second-year player is supposed to do, right?), there’s a chance this man goes so crazy that they’ll have to hand it to him regardless. He’s the odds-on favorite, and with the Chris Paul effect and sustained development of the Spurs’ other young guys, there’s truly no ceiling to what Vic should be able to attain this season.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

TGIF, right Enjoyers? Don’t look now, but this is the last weekend before real regular season NBA action starts. Soak it up. Enjoy it. From here on out, everything matters.

-Austin Zeglis