By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic became the second player in NBA history to tally five 30-point triple-doubles in a row after Russell Westbrook and also recorded a fourth consecutive 35-point triple-double on Thursday. Snapping a three-game losing streak in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat, 114-108, behind a spectacular display by the Slovenian superstar.
The 25-year-old guard, a five-time NBA All-Star, piled up a game-high 35 points by shooting 12/24 from the field, including seven triples. Eleven rebounds and eleven assists shaped a triple-double to go with one steal over 40 minutes. Similar to recent outings, he was listed as probable with a right ankle sprain.
Cleared for action despite left knee soreness, German teammate Maxi Kleber added three points, four rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 22 minutes. On the losing end of the game in American Airlines Center, Serbian Nikola Jovic had four points, two rebounds, and one assist in 16 minutes.
Nikola Jokic overpowers the Celtics
A two-game regular-season sweep for the Denver Nuggets over the Boston Celtics. Serbian Nikola Jokic paved the way in the 115-109 victory with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. The latest triple-double effort was complemented by two steals. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) remained sidelined.
For the leaders of the standings, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis ended up with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double alongside two assists, one block, and one steal over 35 minutes. Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk did not play in Ball Arena and Portuguese Neemias Queta (right knee) stayed on the injury list.
Domantas Sabonis clinches a win
Capping off a finishing run of 7-0 in dunking style, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis handed the Sacramento Kings a win, 131-129, versus the San Antonio Spurs in Golden 1 Center. Narrowly shy of a triple-double, he registered 31 points, 17 rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and one block. Ukrainian Alex Len chipped in three rebounds and two assists. Bulgarian Sasha Vezenkov (right ankle sprain) has been out over recent weeks.
The Spurs ruled out Victor Wembanyama (right ankle sprain) and saw Turkish Cedi Osman exit with a sprained left ankle after putting up two points and two rebounds in six minutes. Polish Jeremy Sochan had nine points, eight rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and one steal, and Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili grabbed three rebounds. French Sidy Cissoko was on assignment with the Austin Spurs.
More games and European showings
Detroit Pistons – Brooklyn Nets 118-112 (Simone Fontecchio 4pts, 6reb, 1ast, 1blk, Evan Fournier 2pts, 2reb, 1ast, 1stl, Tosan Evbuomwan GL – Dennis Schroder 31pts, 8ast, 1reb)
Indiana Pacers – Minnesota Timberwolves 111-113 (Rudy Gobert 18pts, 14reb, 3blk, 2stl, Luka Garza DNP)
Phoenix Suns – Toronto Raptors 120-113 (Jusuf Nurkic 7pts, 14reb, 5ast, 2blk – Jakob Poeltl INJ)
Golden State Warriors – Chicago Bulls 122-125 (Dario Saric DNP, Usman Garuba INA – Nikola Vucevic 33pts, 11reb, 5ast, Onuralp Bitim 6pts, 1ast, 1stl)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 48-14
2. Milwaukee Bucks 41-22
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 40-22
4. Orlando Magic 37-26
5. New York Knicks 36-26
6. Miami Heat 35-27
7. Philadelphia 76ers 35-27
8. Indiana Pacers 35-29
9. Chicago Bulls 31-32
10. Atlanta Hawks 28-34
11. Brooklyn Nets 25-38
12. Toronto Raptors 23-40
13. Charlotte Hornets 15-47
14. Detroit Pistons 10-52
15. Washington Wizards 9-53
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Timberwolves 44-19
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 43-19
3. Denver Nuggets 43-20
4. Los Angeles Clippers 40-21
5. New Orleans Pelicans 37-25
6. Phoenix Suns 37-26
7. Sacramento Kings 36-26
8. Dallas Mavericks 35-28
9. Golden State Warriors 33-29
10. Los Angeles Lakers 34-30
11. Utah Jazz 28-35
12. Houston Rockets 27-35
13. Memphis Grizzlies 22-41
14. Portland Trail Blazers 17-44
15. e-San Antonio Spurs 13-50
e-eliminated from Playoffs
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins