By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Failing to get going in the Madison Square Garden, the Denver Nuggets were blown out by the New York Knicks and fell to 31-15 in the NBA Regular Season. Serbian Nikola Jokic settled with a 31-point, 11-rebound double-double on Thursday. The Joker also dished out three assists but committed seven turnovers lasting 27 minutes. He made 13/18 field goals, including 2/3 triples. Slovenian teammate Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) remained on the injury list, projected to miss all of the 2023-24 campaign.
Paving the way for the hosts, British O.G. Anunoby dropped a team-high 26 points behind 10/18 field goals. Six steals, two rebounds, and one assist in 29 minutes added to his leading performance against the defending NBA champions. German Isaiah Hartenstein (left Achilles tendinopathy) stayed on the injury list for a second consecutive game. French Evan Fournier suited up but did not play for the team coached by Tom Thibodeau.
In Kaseya Center, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis sprained his left ankle after contributing 19 points, four rebounds, and one assist over 21 minutes for the Boston Celtics in the win, 143-110, against the Miami Heat. In brief showings, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk tucked in two three-pointers and Portuguese Neemias Queta registered one rebound and one block. For the hosts, Serbian Nikola Jovic tallied three points and three rebounds over seven minutes.
Gobert and Sabonis in game-clinching plays
Placing the Timberwolves back on top of the Western Conference, Rudy Gobert converted the game-winning two-pointer with 58 seconds on the clock, fueling the win, 96-94, over the Brooklyn Nets in Barclays Center. The French center edged out a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double to go with two blocks, one assist, and one steal over 37 minutes. Bosnian Luka Garza stayed on the bench.
Hitting the go-ahead bucket for the Sacramento Kings, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis reached 18 points alongside 13 assists, eight rebounds, and one block in the win, 134-133, versus the Golden State Warriors in Chase Center. Ukrainian Alex Len was on the bench and Bulgarian Sasha Vezenkov (right ankle sprain) was on the injury list.
For the hosts, Croatian Dario Saric started and played 20 minutes. He scored 14 points with 5/6 from the field, including 4/4 triples. Also, he recorded five assists and four rebounds. Spanish Usman Garuba did dress.
More games and European showings
Indiana Pacers – Philadelphia 76ers 134-122 (Nicolas Batum 10pts, 3reb, 1ast, Furkan Korkmaz 2pts, 2ast, 1reb, 1stl)
Washington Wizards – Utah Jazz 108-123 (Deni Avdija 13pts, 6reb, 5ast, 1stl, 1blk, Bilal Coulibaly 2pts, 3stl, 2ast, 1reb – Lauri Markkanen 29pts, 7reb, 5ast, 3stl, Simone Fontecchio 10pts, 7reb, 2ast, Luka Samanic 0pts, Omer Yurtseven 0pts)
Los Angeles Lakers – Chicago Bulls 141-132 (Nikola Vucevic 20pts, 8reb, 1ast, 1blk, Onuralp Bitim INA)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 35-10
2. Milwaukee Bucks 31-13
3. Philadelphia 76ers 29-14
4. New York Knicks 28-17
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 26-16
6. Indiana Pacers 25-20
7. Miami Heat 24-21
8. Orlando Magic 23-21
9. Chicago Bulls 21-25
10. Atlanta Hawks 18-26
11. Brooklyn Nets 17-27
12. Toronto Raptors 16-28
13. Charlotte Hornets 10-32
14. Washington Wizards 7-37
15. Detroit Pistons 5-39
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 32-13
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 31-13
3. Denver Nuggets 31-15
4. Los Angeles Clippers 28-14
5. Phoenix Suns 26-18
6. New Orleans Pelicans 26-18
7. Sacramento Kings 25-18
8. Dallas Mavericks 24-20
9. Los Angeles Lakers 23-23
10. Utah Jazz 23-23
11. Houston Rockets 20-23
12. Golden State Warriors 19-23
13. Memphis Grizzlies 17-27
14. Portland Trail Blazers 13-31
15. San Antonio Spurs 8-38
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
Photo Credit: Getty Images