By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Covering for injured teammate Paolo Banchero over recent weeks, Franz Wagner added a 32-point effort, leading to a comfortable win, 114-89, against the Charlotte Hornets in Kia Center. Tuesday’s game counted for East Group A of the Emirates NBA Cup, besides the 2024-25 Regular Season.
The 23-year-old German forward made 14/25 from the field, including 2/9 from beyond the arc. Beyond scoring, he recorded eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals over nearly 32 minutes.
Fellow starters, Georgian Goga Bitadze tallied nine points and German Tristan da Silva had five points. Coming off the bench, his brother Moritz Wagner put in 18 points in 23 minutes.
In a quick turnaround from head coach Charles Lee praising him, Vasilije Micic played his first game in nearly three weeks, lasting 13 minutes. His stat line went from four points to three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. French teammates Moussa Diabate posted a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double and Tidjane Salaun produced three points with 1/6 field goals.
In the other East Group A fixture, the New York Knicks spoiled Joel Embiid’s season debut and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 111-99, at Wells Fargo Center. British O.G. Anunoby poured in 24 points.
In West Group B, the Phoenix Suns sidelined Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (left ankle) but beat the Utah Jazz, 120-112, in Delta Center. On the wrong end, Finnish Lauri Markkanen put up 17 points.
Tuesday games
Boston Celtics – Atlanta Hawks 116-117
Detroit Pistons – Miami Heat 123-121 OT (111-111)
Orlando Magic – Charlotte Hornets 114-89
Philadelphia 76ers – New York Knicks 99-111
Milwaukee Bucks – Toronto Raptors 99-85
Utah Jazz – Phoenix Suns 112-120
Golden State Warriors – Dallas Mavericks 120-117
Portland Trail Blazers – Minnesota Timberwolves 122-108
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 12-0
2. Boston Celtics 9-3
3. Orlando Magic 6-6
4. New York Knicks 5-5
5. Indiana Pacers 5-5
6. Brooklyn Nets 5-6
7. Detroit Pistons 5-7
8. Atlanta Hawks 5-7
9. Miami Heat 4-6
10. Charlotte Hornets 4-7
11. Chicago Bulls 4-7
12. Milwaukee Bucks 3-8
13. Washington Wizards 2-7
14. Philadelphia 76ers 2-8
15. Toronto Raptors 2-10
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 9-2
2. Golden State Warriors 9-2
3. Phoenix Suns 9-2
4. Denver Nuggets 7-3
5. Memphis Grizzlies 7-4
6. Houston Rockets 7-4
7. Los Angeles Lakers 6-4
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 6-5
9. Sacramento Kings 6-5
10. Los Angeles Clippers 6-5
11. Dallas Mavericks 5-6
12. San Antonio Spurs 5-6
13. Portland Trail Blazers 4-8
14. New Orleans Pelicans 3-8
15. Utah Jazz 2-8
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins