Βy Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2025 year has started, and Nikola Jokić continues to dominate. The Serbian center once again led the Denver Nuggets to a victory, but this time he only needed three quarters.
Jokić recorded a triple-double without even playing in the final period of the game, as his side eventually prevailed over the Atlanta Hawks 139-120.
The three-time NBA MVP was a rebound shy of a triple-double already at halftime and finished the game with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists.
His fellow countryman, Bogdan Bogdanović, missed the game due to injury, while Vit Krejčí scored 14 points, Zaccharie Risacher added 13, and Clint Capela had four points with seven rebounds for the losing Atlanta Hawks side.
While Jokić dominated in Colorado, Alperen Şengün had his show in a Texas derby, leading the Houston Rockets to a 110-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Turkish center had 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists, but also a career-high six steals, showing constant improvement on the defensive end. Luka Dončić didn’t play for the visitors due to an injury sustained during the Christmas NBA program.
Another European big man left his mark at the start of 2025, as Domantas Sabonis recorded a strong double-double in the 113-107 Sacramento Kings victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Lithuanian center was three assists shy of a triple-double, scoring 17 points with 21 rebounds. He is leading the NBA in 20-rebound games. Guerschon Yabusele had eight points in more than 29 minutes for the losing side.
OG Anunoby shined in the New York Knicks‘ 119-103 victory over the Utah Jazz, scoring 22 points for the hosts at MSG. The game also featured Tyler Kolek, who played on the same day after scoring 36 points in the G League.
The Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls 125-107 at home, with Jonas Valančiūnas scoring 14 points with six rebounds and six assists. Alex Sarr had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, along with five assists, while Kyshawn George added nine points, and Tristan Vukčević chipped in with two.
On the other side, Nikola Vučević had a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Matas Buzelis added five points with four boards.
Lauri Markkanen had a double-double for the Salt Lake City team with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-108, behind Nikola Jović’s performance of eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Meanwhile, Jakob Pöltl had 12 points and nine rebounds in the Toronto Raptors‘ 130-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets, as Darko Rajaković took the clash of European coaches over Jordi Fernández.
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 105-96
Washington Wizards – Chicago Bulls 125-107
Miami Heat – New Orleans Pelicans 119-108
New York Knicks – Utah Jazz 119-103
Toronto Raptors – Brooklyn Nets 130-113
Houston Rockets – Dallas Mavericks 110-99
Denver Nuggets – Atlanta Hawks 139-120
Sacramento Kings – Philadelphia 76ers 113-107
NBA Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 29 – 4
2. Boston Celtics 24 – 9
3. New York Knicks 24 – 10
4. Orlando Magic 20 – 15
5. Miami Heat 17 -14
6. Milwaukee Bucks 17 – 14
7. Atlanta Hawks 18 – 16
8. Indiana Pacers 16 – 18
9. Detroit Pistons 15 – 18
10. Chicago Bulls 15 – 18
11. Philadelphia 76ers 13 – 18
12. Brooklyn Nets 12 – 21
13. Toronto Raptors 8 – 26
14. Charlotte Hornets 7 – 25
15. Washington Wizards 6 – 25
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 27 – 5
2. Memphis Grizzlies 23 – 11
3. Houston Rockets 22 – 11
4. Denver Nuggets 19 – 13
5. Dallas Mavericks 20 – 14
6. Los Angeles Clippers 19 – 14
7. Los Angeles Lakers 18 – 14
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 17 – 15
9. San Antonio Spurs 17 – 16
10. Golden State Warriors 16 – 16
11. Phoenix Suns 15 – 17
12. Sacramento Kings 15 – 19
13. Portland Trail Blazers 11 – 21
14. Utah Jazz 7 – 25
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5 – 29