By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After ten wins in as many outings in Kia Center, the Orlando Magic lost, 100-91, to the New York Knicks on NBA Sundays.
With his brother Franz Wagner (right oblique tear) among the players on the crowded injury list, German Moritz Wagner set his career-high at 32 points behind 10/15 field goals, including four three-pointers.
Besides the personal record, he tallied six rebounds, two steals, and one assist over 25 minutes.
Another German standout for the Magic, Tristan da Silva set his NBA-high at 20 points with 9/17 field goals, besides recording three rebounds and two assists. Fellow European starter, Georgian Goga Bitadze ended up with eight points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, one steal, and one assist.
Starting for the Knicks, British O.G. Anunoby went for seven points, five rebounds, one steal, and one assist. German Ariel Hukporti (left ankle sprain) was sidelined and French Pacome Dadiet on a G League assignment.
Early exit for Porzingis
Latvian Kristaps Porzingis made 5/6 field goals and scored 11 points before hurting his right foot and sitting out the second half of a comfortable win, 112-98, for the Boston Celtics over the Washington Wizards in Capital One Arena. “I banged up my heel a little bit in the first quarter early,” said Porzingis, “It’s nothing major, honestly. More like a precautionary thing.”
Portuguese teammate Neemias Queta lasted nearly ten minutes, tallying two steals, two rebounds, one block, and one rebound.
For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly went for 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and one steal, and fellow French Alex Sarr had 14 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Coming off the bench, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas was limited to two points in just under nine minutes.
Meanwhile, in Footprint Center, the Phoenix Suns beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 116-109. Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic posted his seventh double-double of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, combining ten points and 14 rebounds alongside two assists, one block, and one steal over 26 minutes.
Lasting nearly 28 minutes off the bench for the Blazers, Israeli Deni Avdija finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. French starter Toumani Camara registered 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
LeBron is back
After missing two games, LeBron James put in 18 points and Anthony Davis dominated with 40 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a win, 116-110, over the Memphis Grizzlies in Crypto.com Arena. For the visitors, Spanish Santi Aldama was held to 1/8 from the field in a six-point effort.
NBA Sundays games
Indiana Pacers – New Orleans Pelicans 119-104
Washington Wizards – Boston Celtics 98-112
Orlando Magic – New York Knicks 91-100
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 92-106
Phoenix Suns – Portland Trail Blazers 116-109
Golden State Warriors – Dallas Mavericks 133-143
Los Angeles Lakers – Memphis Grizzlies 116-110
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 22-4
2. Boston Celtics 21-5
3. New York Knicks 16-10
4. Orlando Magic 17-11
5. Miami Heat 13-10
6. Milwaukee Bucks 14-11
7. Atlanta Hawks 14-13
8. Indiana Pacers 12-15
9. Chicago Bulls 11-15
10. Brooklyn Nets 10-15
11. Detroit Pistons 10-16
12. Philadelphia 76ers 7-16
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-18
14. Toronto Raptors 7-19
15. Washington Wizards 3-21
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 20-5
2. Memphis Grizzlies 18-9
3. Dallas Mavericks 17-9
4. Houston Rockets 17-9
5. Denver Nuggets 13-10
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-11
7. Golden State Warriors 14-11
8. Phoenix Suns 14-11
9. Los Angeles Clippers 14-12
10. Los Angeles Lakers 14-12
11. Sacramento Kings 13-13
12. San Antonio Spurs 13-13
13. Portland Trail Blazers 8-18
14. Utah Jazz 5-19
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5-22
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins
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