By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Sacramento Kings built on a fast start to blow out the Milwaukee Bucks, 129-94, in Golden 1 Center on Tuesday. They never trailed en route to snapping a 15-game losing streak in the head-to-head versus the Bucks. The last win dates back to 2016.
In a franchise record, Domantas Sabonis posted a 47th consecutive double-double. The Lithuanian star combined 22 points with 11 rebounds alongside eight assists and one steal. He made 10/14 from the field in 34 minutes. Ukrainian Alex Len chipped in five points, one rebound, and one assist. Bulgarian Sasha Vezenkov (right ankle sprain) was out.
On the wrong end, Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo piled up a game-high 30 points behind 10/17 field goals. The Freak also drew up 13 rebounds, four assists, and one steal over 33 minutes. Italian Danilo Gallinari made seven points with 2/4 shots and Greek Thanasis Antetokounmpo produced two points and one rebound.
Wemby struggles
French prodigy Victor Wembanyama posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double plus six assists, two blocks, and one steal in a narrow loss, 103-101, for the San Antonio Spurs against the Houston Rockets in Frost Bank Center. “I have to get my reads back, after missing a couple of games,” he admitted commenting on a poor showing.
Polish teammate Jeremy Sochan registered 21 points behind 9/14 field goals, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili finished with six points, five rebounds, and three assists. In contrast, Turkish Cedi Osman (left ankle sprain) remained on the injury list and French Sidy Cissoko was on assignment with the Austin Spurs.
For the winning side, Serbian Boban Marjanovic did not leave the bench. Recently moved to the injury list for head coach Ime Udoka, Turkish Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) is expected to sit out the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season.
Early exit for Gobert
After contributing eight points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, Rudy Gobert went to the locker room with a rib injury. Dealing with pain, the good news for the French center was that X-rays were negative. Besides the latest setback, he was listed as questionable to play due to right hamstring tightness.
Bosnian Luka Garza was assigned to the Iowa Wolves as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 118-100, in Crypto.com Arena. Adding to early exits but on the opposite end, Kawhi Leonard left the game after the first quarter due to back spasms.
Croatian center Ivica Zubac had ten points, eight rebounds, and one assist in a losing effort. German Daniel Theis recorded ten points, four rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal. French Moussa Diabate was on a G League assignment at the Ontario Clippers.
More European showings
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 106-79 (O.G. Anunoby 14pts, 4reb, 2ast, 1stl, Isaiah Hartenstein 6pts, 5reb, 2ast, Bojan Bogdanovic 2reb, 1ast – Nicolas Batum 2reb, 1stl)
Memphis Grizzlies – Washington Wizards 109-97 (Santi Aldama 11pts, 4reb, 2stl, 1ast – Deni Avdija 16pts, 4reb, 1ast, Bilal Coulibaly 11pts, 5reb, 4ast, 2stl, 1blk)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Indiana Pacers 111-121 (Ousmane Dieng GL, Olivier Sarr GL)
Utah Jazz – Boston Celtics 107-123 (Luka Samanic 7pts, 7reb, 1ast, Omer Yurtseven DNP, Lauri Markkanen INJ – Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 0pts, Neemias Queta DNP, Kristaps Porzingis INJ)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 51-14
2. Milwaukee Bucks 42-24
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 41-24
4. New York Knicks 38-27
5. Orlando Magic 37-28
6. Indiana Pacers 37-29
7. Philadelphia 76ers 36-29
8. Miami Heat 35-29
9. Chicago Bulls 31-34
10. Atlanta Hawks 29-35
11. Brooklyn Nets 26-39
12. Toronto Raptors 23-42
13. Charlotte Hornets 16-49
14. Detroit Pistons 11-53
15. e-Washington Wizards 11-54
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 45-20
2. Denver Nuggets 45-20
3. Minnesota Timberwolves 45-21
4. Los Angeles Clippers 41-23
5. New Orleans Pelicans 39-25
6. Phoenix Suns 38-27
7. Sacramento Kings 37-27
8. Dallas Mavericks 37-28
9. Los Angeles Lakers 36-30
10. Golden State Warriors 34-30
11. Houston Rockets 30-35
12. Utah Jazz 28-37
13. Memphis Grizzlies 23-43
14. Portland Trail Blazers 18-46
15. e-San Antonio Spurs 14-52
e-eliminated from Playoffs
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins