As the NBA's 2024-25 season pushes closer to the one-month mark, a number of things are coming into focus.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who have reeled off 13 straight wins to begin the campaign, are clearly for real. And despite concerns about the Denver Nuggets after two weeks, Nikola Jokic and the 2023 champs probably still are, too.
But a universal storyline in the league is the sheer number of key players injured, and the one preseason contender feeling it the most.
We'll tackle that subject, along with a major Milwaukee Bucks' issue that even Wednesday's 59 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo won't fix, an undersized Indiana Pacers guard thriving in the paint and just how much more space Klay Thompson is enjoying this season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Jump to a section:
Major flaw behind Bucks' 4-8 start
The contender hit hardest by injuries
Klay has been wide open as a Mav
Why a 6-foot-1 guard owns the paint