NBA Update: Lindy Starts Hot in Golden State, Cade Averaging 26.5

Lindy Waters is off to a hot start with his new franchise, a statement that was only further proven when the Warriors gave him some more minutes on Tuesday night.

Waters scored 21 points to help lead Golden State to a 124-106 win against the New Orleans Pelicans. The former Oklahoma State guard also pulled down eight rebounds and dished four assists. Waters played 31 minutes in the game, as the Warriors were without Stephen Curry.

“Still WATERS run deep!” 💦@ReggieMillerTNT highlighting Lindy’s 17 point performance in the game thus far ✨ pic.twitter.com/e2KPm8jRwB

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 30, 2024

“I’ve said it since Day 1 of camp, this guy’s a ball player,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “The game flows when he’s out there. It’s not just because he’s a good shooter. It’s the shots that he doesn’t take because of his patience. It’s the cuts he makes to the basket. It’s getting into the fight defensively.

“Couldn’t get him out there until tonight, and he’s going to make his case for more playing time.”

Waters hit a trio of triples against New Orleans, which is customary. But he wasn’t solely a 3-point specialist, just ask this poor Pelican:

“DROPS THE SLEDGE HAMMER!” 💥

Lindy Waters III is puting on a SHOW in The Bay 🍿 pic.twitter.com/PyHXarxKU9

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 30, 2024

Before Tuesday’s game, Waters’ playing time was more limited, but he was still making the most of it. He played just 5:07 in the Warriors’ season-opening win against Portland, but in that time Waters went 3-for-3 from the field and finished with eight points. Two nights later, he played seven minutes against the Jazz and scored six points by going 2-for-3 from 3-point range.

It’s just four games into the season, but Waters is averaging 8.8 points a game while shooting a ridiculous 58% from 3.

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Waters to Golden State this offseason for a second round pick.

Cade Scoring, Pistons Losing

Waters, of course, isn’t the only former Cowboy playing in the NBA.

Cade Cunningham is in Year 4 with the Detroit Pistons, who took him with the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Cunningham has averaged 26.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists a game through Detroit’s first four, but the Pistons have yet to win this season. He has averaged 5.8 turnovers a game to this point, but it’s tough to be too hard on a 23 year old who is leading an NBA team in scoring, assists, steals, is second in blocks and fourth in rebounds.

The Pistons have made the playoffs just twice since 2010, and it hasn’t looked like they’ll buck that trend this season.

In the meantime, enjoy this poster:

🚨 CADE POSTER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/xddR5zEz3o

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 24, 2024

Smart Struggling Early

After an injury-riddled first season with the Grizzlies, Marcus Smart is off to a slow start in Year 2 with the franchise.

Smart has started all four of Memphis’ games this season, averaging seven points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals a contest. But the former Poke is shooting just 24% from the field and 17% from 3. Those numbers weren’t at all helped by his 0-for-11 (0-for-8 from 3) performance against Chicago on Monday, as Smart became the sixth player in NBA history to attempts at least 10 field goals in a game without a make.

He’s battled through tough spots before, though, and if the Grizzlies can start to work things out, they have the potential to be a fun team to watch with Smart, Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Desmond Bane and Co.