NBA Update: A Trio of Cowboys Making Plays in the Association

The Emirates NBA Cup finishes up on Tuesday night when the Bucks take on the Thunder on ABC. But all three OSU alums made plays during the tournament.

Cade is Mr. Trip-Dub

In his fourth season, Cade continues to grow into a star for the Pistons. Some might even say he’s playing at an All-Star level.

Coming into Monday night’s home matchup with the Heat, Cade is averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game as well as 7.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists. He currently ranks third in the league in assist percentage and third in total triple-doubles with five through 22 games. He’s also shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.1% from 3.

One of those triple-doubles made history last week when he became the first Detroit Piston to have one in the current location at Madison Square Garden.

Marcus Returns to Bean Town

Smart was questionable for the Grizzlies’ Sunday night against the Lakers in LA, but his team comes in having won four-straight and are ranked second in the West. Smart has scored in double figures in two of those wins. He’s averaging 9.3 points and four assists per game in his 10th season and second in Memphis.

He did get a warm welcome in his first return to Boston last Saturday. Smart was a fan favorite in Bean town.

Marcus Smart gets a warm welcome from Celtics fans, who are seeing him on the TD Garden parquet floor in an opposing team’s jersey for the first time. pic.twitter.com/DM1wuu055q

— Khari A. Thompson (@_KhariThompson) December 8, 2024

Waters Finding His Way

Lindy Waters and the Golden State Warriors split their two games this week after beating Minnesota 114-106 last Sunday before getting bounced out of the NBA Cup quarterfinal by Houston on Wednesday. Waters did have his best scoring game of the last month, adding eight points on 3-of-6 shooting. He was 2-for-4 from deep. He added five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

In his fourth season (his first with the Warriors), Waters is averaging 5.7 points per game and shooting 34.2% from 3. The Warriors are currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference. He spent his first three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Waters also recently signed with Klutch Sports, the same agent that represents his teammate Draymond Green and Pro Bowl quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Lindy Waters III getting signed by Klutch Sports is so dope. Goes to show the type of journey he’s been on over the years. He’s turned into a solid NBA player pic.twitter.com/iIVMHW57yP

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 10, 2024