Best NBA photos from November: Victor Wembanyama, Anthony ...

Hi, there!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Welcome back to another NBA season and The Athletic’s monthly photo series.

A lot has happened in the league since June when the Denver Nuggets claimed their first-ever NBA title. Victor Wembanyama has risen above the hype, James Harden (again) and Damian Lillard are on new teams, there’s something called the In-Season Tournament being played now and load management continues to be a hot topic.

From the splendid to the absurd, NBA games always produce compelling photos. From dunks, blocks, acrobatic maneuvers, bodies banging and scuffles, let’s look at some interesting November images.

(Note: I know it’s not the end of the month but wanted new readers to take advantage of our Black Friday promotion, which ends Monday night.)

All the Kings defenders can do is watch and be impressed with Victor Wembanyama’s length and ability as the Spurs rookie catches an alley-oop in Sacramento, Calif.

Grant Williams of the Mavericks is mauled on a drive to the basket by Nikola Vučević of the Bulls in Dallas. A foul was assessed to Vučević.

Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves unleashes a monstrous dunk against the Jazz in Minneapolis. It was a good month for Minnesota and Edwards, who had three other dunks that also were considered for this month’s photo gallery.

Buddy Hield of the Pacers has his sights on the rim as Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers closes in quickly in Philadelphia.

Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Heat receives his welcome to the NBA moment from Craig Porter Jr. and Georges Niang of the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

While attempting to play defense, Jalen Suggs of the Magic slaps Dennis Schröder of the Raptors in the face in Orlando, Fla.

Let’s check in with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder in San Francisco. The dynamic guard is averaging over 30 points, six assists, six rebounds and two steals per game. And even when defenders like Brandin Podziemski and Dario Šarić of the Warriors play good defense, Gilgeous-Alexander finds a way to score.

Bones Hyland of the Clippers runs into some stellar defense (or maybe a foul) from Dwight Powell of the Mavericks in Dallas.

Speaking of defense, Matisse Thybulle of the Trail Blazers gets all ball as Desmond Bane of the Grizzlies attempts a 3-pointer in Portland, Ore.

Rumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin’: Jeremy Sochan of the Spurs and RJ Barrett of the Knicks battle for a loose ball in New York.

Jayson Tatum of the Celtics does many things well, including saving this ball against the Pacers in Boston.

In his first season on the court with the Thunder, Chet Holmgren is a big presence on offense and defense as Jonas Valančiūnas of the Pelicans discovers in Oklahoma City.

The Warriors and Timberwolves weren’t invited to each other’s Thanksgiving Day festivities last week as Golden State and Minnesota tussled in a recent game in San Francisco, which also included Draymond Green applying a choke hold on Rudy Gobert. Green got a five-game suspension for his wrestling move.

NBA fans know the Lakers and Grizzlies don’t like one another due to past transgressions. Anthony Davis of the Lakers and Desmond Bane of the Grizzlies get up close and personal during an In-Season Tournament game in Los Angeles. Both players received technical fouls.

How do you stop Damian Lillard of the Bucks? Grab each arm, just as Malachi Flynn and Chris Boucher of the Raptors are doing in Toronto.

Max Strus of the Cavaliers is known more for his shooting. But during this play, he hammers Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers as Maxey attempts to shoot in Philadelphia.

Not only does Russell Westbrook of the Clippers attempt to dunk on Dillon Brooks, but he clips the Rockets guard in the face. Westbrook missed the shot, but Brooks was whistled for a foul on the play in Los Angeles.

While battling for a rebound with Jake LaRavia of the Grizzlies, John Collins of the Jazz takes a header in Salt Lake City.

Derrick White of the Celtics disappears into the crowd as he dives to save a ball against the Pacers in Boston.

It’s difficult to block any shot by Victor Wembanyama, but Isaiah Jackson of the Pacers does just that in Indianapolis.

Jerami Grant of the Trail Blazers elevates over Ausar Thompson of the Pistons in Detroit.

Devin Booker of the Suns can’t hide his pain after suffering an injury against the Warriors in Phoenix. Booker has been in and out of the lineup this season with several afflictions.

Walker Kessler of the Jazz completes a reverse jam over Jordan Hawkins and Larry Nance Jr. of the Pelicans in Salt Lake City.

Naji Marshall of the Pelicans and Chris Duarte of the Kings appear to be floating as they battle for a rebound in Sacramento, Calif.

Golden State’s Draymond Green, who usually likes to use his mouth when gesturing to opponents and refs, gives the Thunder fans a quieter approach in Oklahoma City.

How an NBA Getty Images photographer captures the perfect shot

June: 25 NBA images you might have missed

May: 25 NBA images you might have missed

(Top photo of Aaron Gordon and Stephen Curry: Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)