Ivica Zubac scores career-high 35 points in heartbreaking loss

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

Kevin Durant put in 34 points, and the Phoenix Suns stormed back from a 23-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers, 119-117, in PHX Arena.

The late rally spoiled a career-high 35 points by Ivica Zubac on Tuesday. A brilliant showing by the 27-year-old Croatian center surpassed a 32-point display against the Denver Nuggets in 2022 and went into 15/19 two-pointers and 5/6 free throws in just under 37 minutes. Scoring ten points in the fourth quarter was not enough to keep his side in control. Also, pulling down ten rebounds shaped a double-double, besides registering three assists, one block, and one steal as well.

Stepping in the starting lineup of head coach Tyronn Lue, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic ended up with 13 points with 5/7 from the field, including three triples. Nearing 37 minutes of action, he also registered four rebounds and three assists. French reserve Nicolas Batum had three points, three rebounds, and two assists. The only European option of the Suns, Serbian Vasilije Micic, stayed on the bench once more.

In Target Center, the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame the latest absence of French Rudy Gobert (low back injury management) with a late run to beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 126-112. Playing three minutes apiece, Dutch Jesse Edwards dished his first career assist, and Bosnian Luka Garza committed one turnover. On the wrong end, French Guerschon Yabusele went for 18 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, while Turkish Adem Bona produced one point, one steal, one assist, and one rebound.

Navigating the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season without French Victor Wembanyama (right shoulder deep vein thrombosis), the San Antonio Spurs took down the Brooklyn Nets, 127-113, in Frost Bank Center, behind a career-high 37 points by 24-year-old Devin Vassell. Polish Jeremy Sochan put in two points, three assists, two rebounds, and one block, and Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili grabbed one rebound. British Tosan Evbuomwan did not suit up for the team coached by Spanish Jordi Fernandez.

Meanwhile, British O.G. Anunoby logged a game-high 29 points alongside three rebounds and three assists, but the New York Knicks fell, 114-102, to the Golden State Warriors in Madison Square Garden. French Pacome Dadiet did not play, and German Ariel Hukporti (left knee surgery) was out. Dutch Quinten Post threw in three points, three rebounds, and one block for the Warriors.

Tuesday results

Indiana Pacers – Houston Rockets 115-102
Orlando Magic – Toronto Raptors 113-114
Atlanta Hawks – Milwaukee Bucks 121-127
New York Knicks – Golden State Warriors 102-114
Chicago Bulls – Cleveland Cavaliers 117-139
Minnesota Timberwolves – Philadelphia 76ers 126-112
San Antonio Spurs – Brooklyn Nets 127-113
Phoenix Suns – Los Angeles Clippers 119-117
Los Angeles Lakers – New Orleans Pelicans 136-115

Standings

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers 51-10
2. Boston Celtics 43-18
3. New York Knicks 40-21
4. Milwaukee Bucks 35-25
5. Indiana Pacers 35-25
6. Detroit Pistons 35-27
7. Miami Heat 29-31
8. Orlando Magic 29-34
9. Atlanta Hawks 28-34
10. Chicago Bulls 24-38
11. Philadelphia 76ers 21-40
12. Brooklyn Nets 21-40
13. Toronto Raptors 20-42
14. Charlotte Hornets 14-46
15. Washington Wizards 11-49

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 50-11
2. Los Angeles Lakers 39-21
3. Denver Nuggets 39-22
4. Memphis Grizzlies 38-23
5. Houston Rockets 37-25
6. Golden State Warriors 34-28
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 34-29
8. Sacramento Kings 32-28
9. Los Angeles Clippers 32-29
10. Dallas Mavericks 32-30
11. Phoenix Suns 29-33
12. Portland Trail Blazers 28-34
13. San Antonio Spurs 26-34
14. New Orleans Pelicans 17-45
15. Utah Jazz 15-46

-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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