By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Debuting in Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers suffered an overtime loss, 116-113, to the Phoenix Suns to open the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season on Wednesday.
Croatian center Ivica Zubac went for 21 points behind 8/13 two-pointers, nine rebounds, and three assists, but fouled out with 2:15 left in the extra period. Coming off the bench, French Nicolas Batum tallied two points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal, over 23 minutes.
Starting opposite Zubac for the visitors, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
In Little Caesars Arena, the Indiana Pacers beat the Detroit Pistons, 115-109. Italian Simone Fontecchio was held to 0/4 shots for the hosts.
Dejounte Murray injury
After ruling out Zion Williamson due to illness, the season opener of the New Orleans Pelicans spread to newcomer Dejounte Murray fracturing his left hand and being set for a long spell on the injury list. Before his exit, he was up to 14 points, ten assists, and eight rebounds, contributing to a win, 123-111, against the Chicago Bulls in Smoothie King Center.
German Daniel Theis started and delivered eight points, three assists, three blocks, two steals, and two rebounds over 18 minutes. Croatian Karlo Matkovic produced one rebound and one block in the fourth quarter.
The starting center of the Bulls, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic posted a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double alongside one assist. Lithuanian rookie Matas Buzelis was limited to two rebounds and one assist in four minutes.