By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic fell one assist shy of a triple-double on NBA Sundays and the Denver Nuggets stormed back from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Dallas Mavericks, 112-101, in the American Airlines Center.
In his second game back after missing two straight fixtures of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season with an illness, the Serbian center made 6/13 from the field en route to a 19-point, 18-rebound double-double to go with nine assists and two steals over 38 minutes. Other European options for head coach Michael Malone, Croatian Dario Saric stayed on the bench, and Slovenian Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) was on the injury list. Fellow Slovenian Luka Doncic (left calf strain) remained out for the Mavs but German Maxi Kleber registered six points and three rebounds.
Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double plus two assists and one block but the Milwaukee Bucks were blown out by the New York Knicks, 140-106, in the Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Jalen Brunson shined with 44 points, while British O.G. Anunoby chipped in 11 points, two assists, one block, and one rebound. Stepping in during garbage time, German Ariel Hukporti grabbed four rebounds. French Pacome Dadiet was on a G League assignment.
In more early NBA Sundays action, the Sacramento Kings edged out the Chicago Bulls, 124-119, in United Center. Fueling a seventh straight win, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis posted a 22-point, 18-rebound double-double and dished out eight assists. Ukrainian teammate Alex Len did not play. On the wrong end of a back-and-forth contest, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic went for 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Lithuanian Matas Buzelis tallied five points and two rebounds.