By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Back on the court after missing five games with a left soleus strain, Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder hold on for a win, 118-108, over the Portland Trail Blazers in Moda Center on Sunday.
“I couldn’t hit a free throw to save my life but everything else was good,” the 26-year-old German center commented on being limited to 4/9 free throws in his return to action.
Besides putting up 14 points and 12 rebounds, he dished out six assists and a spectacular block on Robert Williams III. “It goes back to team defense,” he credited his teammates for one of the game’s major highlights, “It’s not me just making a great play. It’s a ripple effect.”
French teammate Ousmane Dieng went for five points, one assist, and one rebound. Belgian Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery) and Serbian Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) remained sidelined.
Avdija and Camara combine for 52 points
On the losing end of the NBA Sundays contest against the 2024-25 Regular Season leaders, Israeli Deni Avdija recorded a team-high 28 points alongside eight rebounds, eight assists, one block, and one steal. Belgian Toumani Camara followed with 24 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
“I think it’s our energy. How hard we play on both ends and how much we try to impact the game, to try and win games,” said 24-year-old Camara on playing alongside Avdija, “Our leadership, the way we accept to talk to each other, accept criticism and also wanting our teammates to accept that criticism too. So, being able to talk to them as well and he’s somebody that kind of has the same mindset as me.”
“We have a very good relationship off the court and I feel like we are very good at communicating with each other. We both are competitors. We want to help the team as much as we can. And I feel like we can switch pretty much all the time,” added 24-year-old Avdija, “It’s fun to play with somebody like him on the team. I feel like it’s contagious and all the guys are pretty much playing hard.”
Fellow European option for the team coached by Chauncey Billups, French Rayan Rupert did not get on the court.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 36-9
2. Boston Celtics 32-14
3. New York Knicks 30-16
4. Milwaukee Bucks 25-18
5. Indiana Pacers 25-20
6. Orlando Magic 24-23
7. Detroit Pistons 23-22
8. Miami Heat 22-22
9. Atlanta Hawks 22-23
10. Chicago Bulls 19-27
11. Philadelphia 76ers 17-27
12. Brooklyn Nets 14-32
13. Toronto Raptors 13-32
14. Charlotte Hornets 12-30
15. Washington Wizards 6-38
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 37-8
2. Houston Rockets 30-14
3. Memphis Grizzlies 31-15
4. Denver Nuggets 28-17
5. Los Angeles Lakers 25-18
6. Los Angeles Clippers 26-19
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 24-21
8. Phoenix Suns 23-21
9. Dallas Mavericks 24-22
10. Sacramento Kings 23-22
11. Golden State Warriors 22-23
12. San Antonio Spurs 20-23
13. Portland Trail Blazers 17-29
14. New Orleans Pelicans 12-34
15. Utah Jazz 10-33
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins