The GIST: New name, same tourney — the rebranded NBA Cup (previously known as the In-Season Tournament) tipped off last night, ushering in the league’s second annual in-season competition, complete with even flashier courts and cash prizes to place a greater emphasis on early schedule games. Let’s hoop.

How it works: All 30 NBA teams were divided into six five-team groups within their conference. Beginning last night and running through December 3rd, group play “Cup Nights” are set for every Tuesday and Friday, with each squad playing two games at home and two on the road.

• Eight teams (the six group winners, plus the two best second-place squads from each conference) will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the quarter-finals on December 10th and 11th and culminating with the championship on December 17th.
• Every game except the championship will count towards a team’s regular-season record.
• The title game will once again be hosted in Las Vegas, a city in the running for an NBA expansion franchise — especially if reigning tourney MVP, LA Laker LeBron James, has anything to say about it.

Last night’s octuple-header highlights: In Eastern Conference news, former MVP Joel Embiid (who was injured to start the year) made his long-awaited season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, contributing 13 points as the Sixers lost 111–99 to the NY Knicks.

• And over in the Western Conference, five-time All-Star Klay Thompson returned to the Bay Area for the first time since leaving the Golden State Warriors — where he won four titles — for the Dallas Mavericks. In the end, Golden State was the victor, winning 120–117. Baby, the games have begun.

The GIST: The World Cup of women’s tennis is underway in Spain, with 12 nations battling for the title and a slice of the groundbreaking $9.6M purse as the BJK Cup offers equal prize money to the Davis Cup Finals (the men’s tourney equivalent) for the third consecutive year. Booyah.

How it works: The 12 teams are split into four groups of three countries each. Four countries (one per group) earned a bye to this weekend’s quarter-finals (QFs): 2023 defending champion Canada and runner-up Italy, as well as wild cards Czechia and Australia.

• The other eight teams are competing in an opening round now through Friday, hoping to earn a spot in the QFs. Each country vs. country showdown consists of two singles matches and one deciding doubles match, if necessary.

Top teams and players: Team Canada star and world No. 31 Leylah Annie Fernandez is ready to defend her country’s crown after winning last year’s decisive match, a straight sets victory over Italy’s No. 4 Jasmine Paolini.

• But what a difference a year makes: Paolini has been this season’s it girl, reaching two Grand Slam finals and winning a doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Can she cap off a stunning year with one more dub for her country?
• Meanwhile, Team USA will battle Slovakia tomorrow, but they’ll be without No. 3 Coco Gauff, who’s relaxing after winning the WTA Finals last weekend.
• However, the red, white, and blue are championed by No. 11 Danielle Collins, who recently postponed her retirement after a banner year. Aces everywhere you look.

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American women’s hockey legends Krissy Wendell-Pohl and Natalie Darwitz, who were enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, marking the first time since 2010 that two women were inducted at the same time. Puck yeah.

Packing cubes, of course. Travel season is on the horizon, so grab a set of these game-changers that are perfect for keeping your suitcase organized and travel stress-free.

NBA x Fear of God Essentials. The new collection is about to drop, featuring looks great for everything from sitting court-side to styling on the streets.