By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After mishandling a 12-point advantage in the second half, the Sacramento Kings lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-115, in Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Anthony Edwards broke a tie from the free-throw line with 2.4 seconds on the clock and ended up with 32 points. Julius Randle registered a game-high 33 points. French Rudy Gobert piled up three points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
The star of the Kings, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis scored 24 points with 8/13 field goals, including three triples. He added eight rebounds, two steals, one block, and one assist over 38 minutes.
“It sucks. We were up by 11. And they made two threes back-to-back, something like that,” he recalled losing the double-digit lead in the third quarter, “It is a ball game. They are all excited. And now it is back to square one.”
Ukrainian teammate Alex Len went for three points, two rebounds, and one block to start the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
Neemias Queta boosts Celtics
The Boston Celtics improved to 2-0 with a comfortable win, 122-102, over the young Washington Wizards in Capital One Arena.
Portuguese center Neemias Queta chipped in 12 points, including six in the fourth quarter. He also pulled down seven rebounds in 13 minutes. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis tendon surgery rehabilitation) stayed on the injury list.
For the hosts, French Alex Sarr, the second pick of the 2024 draft, started but was held to 1/7 field goals. He finished with two points, five rebounds, two blocks, and one steal over 21 minutes.
In just under 30 minutes, fellow French starter Bilal Coulibaly tallied eight points, six assists, six rebounds, and one steal.
Coming off the bench, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas tucked in 18 points alongside five rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes.
Thursday games
Washington Wizards – Boston Celtics 102-122
Dallas Mavericks – San Antonio Spurs 120-109
Denver Nuggets – Oklahoma City Thunder 87-102
Sacramento Kings – Minnesota Timberwolves 115-117
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 2-0
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 1-0
3. Orlando Magic 1-0
4. Milwaukee Bucks 1-0
5. Indiana Pacers 1-0
6. Charlotte Hornets 1-0
7. Atlanta Hawks 1-0
8. Brooklyn Nets 0-1
9. Detroit Pistons 0-1
10. Chicago Bulls 0-1
11. Philadelphia 76ers 0-1
12. Miami Heat 0-1
13. Washington Wizards 0-1
14. New York Knicks 0-1
15. Toronto Raptors 0-1
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 1-0
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 1-0
3. New Orleans Pelicans 1-0
4. Dallas Mavericks 1-0
5. Los Angeles Lakers 1-0
6. Phoenix Suns 1-0
7. Memphis Grizzlies 1-0
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1
9. Utah Jazz 0-1
10. Sacramento Kings 0-1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 0-1
12. Houston Rockets 0-1
13. San Antonio Spurs 0-1
14. Denver Nuggets 0-1
15. Portland Trail Blazers 0-1
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins