By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic (right wrist sprain) sitting out a fourth straight game of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, the Dallas Mavericks prevailed, 129-114, over the New York Knicks in American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
“He looks good,” head coach Jason Kidd updated the status of Doncic before the game, “Everything that has come back that he looks good and is getting closer to coming back.”
German Maxi Kleber put in one point and one rebound over 23 minutes. For the Knicks, British O.G. Anunoby was limited to eight points, five rebounds, and two assists, while French Pacome Dadiet and German Ariel Hukporti stayed on the bench.
Besides James Harden’s 43 points, Croatian Ivica Zubac packed an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double for the Los Angeles Clippers in a win, 121-96, against the Washington Wizards in Capital One Arena. French Nicolas Batum added three points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Coming off the bench, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas required just under 18 minutes for 17 points and seven rebounds for the Wizards. A couple of starters from France, Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly had 13 and three points, respectively. Serbian Tristan Vukcevic (left knee contusion) remained sidelined.
More European standouts in Kia Center as the Orlando Magic beat the Chicago Bulls, 133-119. German Franz Wagner chipped in 21 points with his brother Moritz Wagner adding 15, Georgian Goga Bitadze tallying 11, and German Tristan Da Silva finished with eight. For the visitors, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic posted a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double and Lithuanian Matas Buzelis had seven points.
German Dennis Schroder scored 29 points and Tyrese Martin added 30 points lifting the Brooklyn Nets over the Phoenix Suns, 127-117, in Footprint Center. Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot) remained in the crowded injury list of Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez. The starting center of the hosts, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic settled with six points and seven rebounds plus one assist.
In Target Center, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis posted a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double, helping the Sacramento Kings outlast the Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-104. Ukrainian Alex Len recorded one steal, one assist, and one rebound. On the wrong end, French Rudy Gobert ended up with nine points.
Meanwhile, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic poured in 17 points, including three triples, pushing the Atlanta Hawks to a win, 135-124, against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. French Zaccharie Risacher put in 17 points as well. Swiss Clint Capela was held to two points but grabbed nine rebounds.
🎯🇷🇸 Bogdan Bogdanovic has made at least one three-pointer in his last 96 NBA games!
🔥He now holds the 6th longest streak in NBA history, surpassing Klay Thompson (95). pic.twitter.com/fpoUWMFsTy
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) November 28, 2024
German Isaiah Hartenstein posted a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double as the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the Golden State Warriors, 105-101, in Chase Center. Belgian Ajay Mitchell put in two points. French Ousmane Dieng (right ring finger fracture) and Serbian Nikola Topic (left knee) stayed on the injury list.
Spanish Santi Aldama combined nine points with six rebounds, helping the Memphis Grizzlies overpower the Detroit Pistons, 131-111, in FedExForum. For the visitors, Italian Simone Fontecchio netted a season-high 18 points. Swedish teammate Bobi Klintman (right calf contusion) remains sidelined indefinitely.
Starting, Israeli Deni Avdija went for 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals for the Portland Trail Blazers in a loss, 121-114, to the Indiana Pacers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fellow starter, Belgian Toumani Camara had eight points. French Rayan Rupert pulled down one rebound.
Serbian tactician Darko Rajakovic led the Toronto Raptors to a win, 119-93, versus the New Orleans Pelicans in Smoothie King Center. Austrian Jakob Poeltl threw in two points, eight rebounds, two steals, one block, and one assist. On the losing end, German Daniel Theis recorded four points and six rebounds.
Wednesday games
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat 94-98
Cleveland Cavaliers – Atlanta Hawks 124-135
Indiana Pacers – Portland Trail Blazers 121-114
Orlando Magic – Chicago Bulls 133-119
Philadelphia 76ers – Houston Rockets 115-122 OT (108-108)
Washington Wizards – Los Angeles Clippers 96-121
Dallas Mavericks – New York Knicks 129-114
Memphis Grizzlies – Detroit Pistons 114-131
Minnesota Timberwolves – Sacramento Kings 104-115
New Orleans Pelicans – Toronto Raptors 93-119
San Antonio Spurs – Los Angeles Lakers 101-119
Phoenix Suns – Brooklyn Nets 117-127
Utah Jazz – Denver Nuggets 103-122
Golden State Warriors – Oklahoma City Thunder 101-105
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-2
2. Boston Celtics 15-3
3. Orlando Magic 13-7
4. New York Knicks 10-8
5. Milwaukee Bucks 9-9
6. Miami Heat 8-8
7. Brooklyn Nets 9-10
8. Indiana Pacers 9-10
9. Atlanta Hawks 8-11
10. Detroit Pistons 8-12
11. Chicago Bulls 8-12
12. Charlotte Hornets 6-12
13. Toronto Raptors 5-14
14. Philadelphia 76ers 5-14
15. Washington Wizards 2-15
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 14-4
2. Houston Rockets 14-6
3. Golden State Warriors 12-6
4. Memphis Grizzlies 12-7
5. Los Angeles Lakers 11-7
6. Los Angeles Clippers 12-8
7. Denver Nuggets 10-7
8. Dallas Mavericks 11-8
9. Phoenix Suns 10-8
10. San Antonio Spurs 10-9
11. Sacramento Kings 9-10
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-10
13. Portland Trail Blazers 7-12
14. Utah Jazz 4-14
15. New Orleans Pelicans 4-15
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins