Micic impresses as the ‘ultimate competitor’, Jokic falls in New York

2025-01-30T07:39:50+00:00 2025-01-30T07:39:50+00:00.

Giannis Askounis

30/Jan/25 07:39

Eurohoops.net
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Kent Smith / Getty Images / Ideal Image

Losing displays for stars of the Serbian national team, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Jokic, and Nikola Jovic

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

Vasilije Micic started for the Charlotte Hornets and combined 15 points with seven rebounds and six assists, but the Brooklyn Nets prevailed, 104-83, in Spectrum Center.

The 31-year-old Serbian guard suffered through a chest injury in Wednesday’s game, impressing head coach Charles Lee and his teammates.

“He’s a fighter. An ultimate competitor. I think he’s just one of the guys on the team that we are always looking to for that boost, emotionally and with his play. He did that,” described Lee, “He did a heck of a job, continuing to still play defense, not let it affect him, try to make things happen offensively with his playmaking skills. Just really happy that we have him on our side.”

French Moussa Diabate produced 13 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Fellow French import Tidjane Salaun remained on a G League assignment.

The team coached by Spanish Jordi Fernandez snapped a seven-game losing streak in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. With Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot) stuck to the injury list, British Tosan Evbuomwan chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

In Madison Square Garden, Nikola Jokic was limited well below a triple-double and the Denver Nuggets fell, 122-112, to the New York Knicks. The Serbian superstar finished with 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block. Croatian Dario Saric stayed on the bench and Slovenian Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) was on the injury list.

Among the top contributors in a fifth consecutive win, British O.G. Anunoby went for 23 points, four rebounds, and one assist for the Knicks. German Ariel Hukporti did not play and French Pacome Dadiet (right great toe sprain) remained sidelined.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised past the Miami Heat, 126-106, in Kaseya Center. On the losing end, Serbian Nikola Jovic piled up 11 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Swedish Pelle Larsson had two assists, two rebounds, and one steal.

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