By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Oklahoma City Thunder, remaining the only undefeated team in the Western Conference, overpowered the San Antonio Spurs, 105-93, in Paycom Center.
Limiting Victor Wembanyama to six points and 1/5 field goals was key on Wednesday. Opposite Chet Holmgren, the French prodigy registered eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists over 27 minutes.
Polish Jeremy Sochan had 17 points, nine rebounds, and four assists for the team coached by Gregg Popovich. Coming off the bench, Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili paired three points with five rebounds, and French Sidy Cissoko put in one rebound and one assist.
With German Isaiah Hartenstein and Serbian Nikola Topic among players on the injury list of the Thunder, Belgian Ajay Mitchell tallied 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals. French Ousmane Dieng chipped in five points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Coulibaly sets a new career-high
Wemby’s former teammate, 20-year-old Bilal Coulibaly scored a career-high 27 points, fueling a win, 133-120, for the Washington Wizards versus the Atlanta Hawks in Capital One Arena. He made 11/14 field goals, including three triples, nine rebounds, three steals, one block, and one assist.
“I am just doing what I am supposed to do, hitting open shots, finding my teammates, they find me too,” the French forward described a brilliant start to the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
Switching to a bench role, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas added 22 points with 8/10 from the field plus eight rebounds and six assists. French Alex Sarr recorded 11 points, five rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and one steal.
For the visitors, French Zaccharie Rishasher ended up with 17 points, six rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and one steal. Fellow starter, Swiss Clint Capela had 12 points.
Vucevic, Bulls storm back
After trailing by 20 points, the Chicago Bulls recovered and hung on down the stretch to defeat the Orlando Magic, 102-99, in the United Center. Among the top performers for head coach Billy Donovan, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double.
On the losing end, Franz Wagner was forced to an early exit due to illness for a second straight game. He left early in the fourth quarter with seven points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one block. His brother Moritz Wagner finished with seven points and six rebounds.
Fellow German, Daniel Theis hurt his right ankle and was limited to five minutes as the New Orleans Pelicans lost, 104-89, to the Golden State Warriors in Chase Center.
Wednesday games
Charlotte Hornets – Toronto Raptors 128-133
Cleveland Cavaliers – Los Angeles Lakers 134-110
Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics 135-132 OT (124-124)
Philadelphia 76ers – Detroit Pistons 95-105
Washington Wizards – Atlanta Hawks 133-120
Miami Heat – New York Knicks 107-116
Chicago Bulls – Orlando Magic 102-99
Memphis Grizzlies – Brooklyn Nets 106-119
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 105-93
Golden State Warriors – New Orleans Pelicans 104-89
Los Angeles Clippers – Portland Trail Blazers 105-106
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-0
2. Boston Celtics 4-1
3. Orlando Magic 3-2
4. Chicago Bulls 3-2
5. New York Knicks 2-2
6. Charlotte Hornets 2-2
7. Miami Heat 2-2
8. Washington Wizards 2-2
9. Brooklyn Nets 2-3
10. Indiana Pacers 2-3
11. Atlanta Hawks 2-3
12. Milwaukee Bucks 1-3
13. Philadelphia 76ers 1-3
14. Detroit Pistons 1-4
15. Toronto Raptors 1-4
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-0
2. Golden State Warriors 4-1
3. Dallas Mavericks 3-1
4. Phoenix Suns 3-1
5. Los Angeles Lakers 3-2
6. Sacramento Kings 2-2
7. Houston Rockets 2-2
8. Los Angeles Clippers 2-2
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 2-2
10. Denver Nuggets 2-2
11. Memphis Grizzlies 2-3
12. Portland Trail Blazers 2-3
13. New Orleans Pelicans 2-3
14. San Antonio Spurs 1-3
15. Utah Jazz 0-4
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins