By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Russell Westbrook became the first player with 200 triple-doubles in the NBA. His efforts combined with the Denver Nuggets outlasting the Memphis Grizzlies, 122-110, in FedExForum.
With 1:28 on the clock, reacting to Dario Saric missing a three, he grabbed his tenth rebound to complete a triple-double.
“I thank him for making the next one to close the game, which is the most important,” the 36-year-old point guard referred to the Croatian forward sinking a three-pointer with 27.7 seconds left to seal the win.
Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic (personal reasons) was out for a third straight game. A candidate to eventually take over the lead, the Joker currently ranks fourth in the all-time triple-double list with 136 to his name.
“Nikola is one of the best in the world and not one of, is the best in the world,” clarified Westbrook.
“Any of us can take turns,” he added on him and Jokic putting up triple-doubles for the Nuggets.
Starting for the team coached by Michael Malone, Saric tallied eight points and five rebounds. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar had five points before exiting with a left knee sprain.
On the losing end, Spanish Santi Aldama matched his personal best in the NBA with 28 points behind 12/19 field goals, including four three-pointers. He also pulled down 11 rebounds.
Elsewhere in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season combined with the Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday, French Victor Wembanyama (right knee contusion) and Polish Jeremy Sochan (left thumb) stayed on the injury list, but the San Antonio Spurs topped the Oklahoma City Thunder, 110-104, in Frost Bank Center. European contributions were limited to Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili netting two points.
In Barclays Center, German Dennis Schroder posted a 14-point, 12-assist double-double as the Brooklyn Nets edged out the Charlotte Hornets, 116-115. On the losing end, French reserves Tidjane Salaun paired 11 points with eight rebounds and Moussa Diabate pulled down seven rebounds. In contrast, Serbian Vasilije Micic stayed on the bench.
Finnish Lauri Markkanen put up a team-high 25 points for the Utah Jazz in a losing effort, 124-118, against the Los Angeles Lakers in crypto.com Arena.
In TD Garden, the Boston Celtics prevailed, 120-117, and handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss.
Tuesday games
Boston Celtics – Cleveland Cavaliers 120-117
Brooklyn Nets – Charlotte Hornets 116-115
Memphis Grizzlies – Denver Nuggets 110-122
Dallas Mavericks – New Orleans Pelicans 132-91
San Antonio Spurs – Oklahoma City Thunder 110-104
Los Angeles Lakers – Utah Jazz 124-118
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-1
2. Boston Celtics 12-3
3. Orlando Magic 9-6
4. New York Knicks 8-6
5. Atlanta Hawks 7-8
6. Miami Heat 6-7
7. Detroit Pistons 7-9
8. Indiana Pacers 6-8
9. Brooklyn Nets 6-9
10. Chicago Bulls 6-9
11. Milwaukee Bucks 5-9
12. Charlotte Hornets 5-9
13. Toronto Raptors 3-12
14. Philadelphia 76ers 2-11
15. Washington Wizards 2-11
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 10-3
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 11-4
3. Los Angeles Lakers 10-4
4. Houston Rockets 10-5
5. Denver Nuggets 8-5
6. Phoenix Suns 9-6
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-6
8. Memphis Grizzlies 8-7
9. Dallas Mavericks 8-7
10. Sacramento Kings 8-7
11. Los Angeles Clippers 8-7
12. San Antonio Spurs 7-8
13. Portland Trail Blazers 6-8
14. New Orleans Pelicans 4-11
15. Utah Jazz 3-11
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins