NBA Week 8 Recap: Steph’s Scorching Return, Wemby’s Statement, and the Thunder’s Big Ambitions
Week 8 of the NBA season may have had the lightest schedule so far - thanks to the NBA Cup - but it didn’t lack for drama, milestones, or momentum-shifting performances. From Stephen Curry rewriting the record books to Victor Wembanyama making his presence felt in a big way, this week gave us plenty to chew on. Let’s break it all down.
Steph Curry Returns - And He’s Not Here to Ease In
If there was any concern about Stephen Curry shaking off rust after missing five games with a quad injury, he put that to rest immediately. The Warriors’ superstar came back firing, dropping 39 points in a high-octane loss to the Timberwolves at Chase Center. That performance pushed Curry past Michael Jordan for the most 35-point games after turning 30 - now sitting at 94.
And he wasn’t done.
Just two days later, Curry turned the volume all the way up, torching the Trail Blazers for 48 points while draining 12 threes. That game put him ahead of Jordan again - this time for the most 40-point games post-30, with 45. He’s not just setting records; he’s doing it in vintage Steph fashion: deep pull-ups, off-the-dribble daggers, and a shooting rhythm that looks like it’s synced to a metronome only he can hear.
Still, despite Curry’s fireworks, Golden State dropped both games and now sits 13-14, clinging to eighth in the West. The Warriors are clearly still trying to find their footing, but with Curry back and scorching, they’ve at least got the spark. Now they need the rest of the engine to catch up.
Wemby’s Back - And He’s Already Making Noise
Victor Wembanyama returned to the Spurs lineup after a 12-game absence, and he wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s one of the most hyped prospects in league history. On a minutes restriction, Wemby logged just 21 minutes - but made every one of them count. He finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and a team-best +21 in a tight 111-109 win over the Thunder.
That’s not just production - that’s impact.
And it’s not just his game that’s making waves. In a recent interview, Wembanyama was asked who he thinks is the best player in the NBA right now.
His answer? Nikola Jokić is the best offensive player, but the best overall?
He sees it as a battle between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - and then added, “When I come back on the court, I think it will be me.”
Bold? Sure.
But when you show up after nearly a month off and immediately swing a game against one of the league’s hottest teams, it’s hard to call it empty talk. Wemby’s confidence is matched by his versatility - and if this is the version San Antonio gets moving forward, they’ve got a real shot at shaking up the NBA Cup final.
Thunder Eyeing History - And Not Shying Away From It
Speaking of the Thunder, their loss to the Spurs was just their second of the season - but it didn’t shake their confidence one bit.
At NBA Cup media day, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear: Golden State’s 73-9 record isn’t just a footnote to him. It’s a target.
“Absolutely. Winning matters,” SGA said when asked if the record means something to the team.
And why not? OKC opened the season 23-1, joining only the 2015-16 Warriors and the 1969-70 Knicks in that elite company. Even after the loss in Vegas, they’re sitting at 24-2 and still firmly in the driver’s seat.
“Seventy-three and nine? I mean, the position we’re in right now, what are we, 24-2?
My goal is to get better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So if we get better than what we are now, that should take care of itself.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from your star - ambitious but grounded. For OKC to hit 74 wins, they’d need to go 50-6 the rest of the way. It’s a steep climb, but the Thunder’s mix of youth, depth, and chemistry has them believing it’s possible.
Don’t Sleep on Detroit - The Pistons Are Coming
While the Knicks and Spurs are grabbing headlines ahead of the NBA Cup final, the Pistons are quietly putting together one of the most impressive starts in franchise history - and they’re not being quiet about their goals.
Detroit moved to 20-5 after a dominant 142-115 win over the Hawks on Friday, tying their second-best 25-game start ever. And it wasn’t just a one-man show - eight players scored in double figures, led by Isaiah Stewart with 17. Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 each, Jalen Duren added 14, and the bench kept the pressure on with balanced scoring from Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland II, Jaden Ivey, and Caris LeVert.
“There’s no bench unit,” Duren said after the game. “The guys who come off the bench for us are starting-caliber players.”
That depth is Detroit’s calling card. They’re not reliant on one star to carry the load - they come at you in waves. And with wins piling up, the team’s confidence is growing just as fast.
“It shows the world that we’re serious about winning, that we are serious about contending for a championship,” Duren said. “Because that’s what we do it for. We’re not here just to win games.”
They’ll get a chance to prove that championship mettle Monday night against Boston - a team that edged them out by three points last month. If Detroit can flip the script this time, it’ll be hard to ignore them any longer.
What’s Next: NBA Cup Final on Deck
Circle Tuesday night on your calendar. The NBA Cup final tips off at 8:30 p.m.
ET in Las Vegas, with the Spurs and Knicks battling it out for the inaugural in-season tournament title - and a $530,000 prize per player. If the intensity of the previous rounds is any indication, expect a playoff-style atmosphere from the jump.
Wemby vs. Brunson.
Pop’s system vs. Thibs’ grit.
There’s a lot on the line - and not just the money.
Buckle up. This week may have been light on games, but the stakes are about to get very real.