By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Rudy Gobert powered up the Minnesota Timberwolves en route to a win, 105-90, against the Brooklyn Nets in Barclays Center.
The 32-year-old French center, retaining his starting role and lasting nearly 36 minutes, recorded a 21-point, 18-rebound double-double to go with two blocks and one assist. Tucking in 9/10 field goals fueled a 33rd double-double in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Playing 91 seconds, Bosnian Luka Garza netted three points and grabbed one rebound. In contrast, Dutch Jesse Edwards did not suit up on Thursday.
Anthony Edwards was helped off the court during the second quarter after stepping backward onto the foot of the Spanish head coach of the Nets, Jordi Fernandez, while making a three-pointer. The 23-year-old star of the Wolves returned to start the second half and ended up with 28 points.
“I was out of bounds trying to move out of the way,” the 42-year-old tactician apologized in a postgame press conference, “I definitely have to be faster than that. Players’ health is the most important thing in the game, so next time I just have to move faster.”
For the team coached by Fernandez, British Tosan Evbuomwan produced 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal over 30 minutes.
German Franz Wagner threw in 27 points with 10/19 from the field, five assists, five rebounds, and one block, helping the Orlando Magic defeat the Washington Wizards, 109-97, in Capital One Arena. “I think we’re confident. I think we’ve improved a lot this last couple of weeks,” the 23-year-old winger said in a postgame media session, referring to a sixth win over the last eight team outings.
His brother Moritz Wagner (left knee surgery) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season, and fellow German import Tristan Da Silva did not play. Another European option for head coach Jamahl Mosley, Georgian Goga Bitadze, logged two minutes but did not produce a stat.
For the hosts, French Alex Sarr put up ten points, six assists, six rebounds, and one steal, and Serbian Tristan Vukcevic had seven points, one rebound, and one block. French Bilal Coulibaly (right hamstring strain) is stuck on the injury list.
Overcoming an early exit for Belgian Toumani Camara due to a left ankle injury, the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Toronto Raptors, 112-103, in Scotiabank Arena. Israeli Deni Avdija dropped a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double, plus six assists, two blocks, and two steals. French Rayan Rupert paired five points with three rebounds, and Camara had five points, three rebounds, and two assists before leaving the game in the third quarter. French Sidy Cissoko (left ankle sprain) was already on the injury list. For the team guided by Serbian Darko Rajakovic, Austrian Jakob Poeltl (rest) was sidelined.
A first NBA win for the interim head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, Finnish Tuomas Iisalo, with Ja Morant shaping an 110-108 victory versus the Miami Heat at the buzzer in Kaseya Center. Spanish Santi Aldama chipped in nine points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Starting for the team coached by Erik Spoelstra, Swedish Pelle Larsson went for three points, four steals, three assists, two rebounds, and one block, but Serbian Nikola Jovic remained out.
Thursday results
Washington Wizards – Orlando Magic 97-109
Brooklyn Nets – Minnesota Timberwolves 90-105
Miami Heat – Memphis Grizzlies 108-110
Philadelphia 76ers – Milwaukee Bucks 113-126
Toronto Raptors – Portland Trail Blazers 103-112
Los Angeles Lakers – Golden State Warriors 116-123
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. p-Cleveland Cavaliers 61-15
2. p-Boston Celtics 56-20
3. p-New York Knicks 48-28
4. p-Indiana Pacers 45-31
5. Milwaukee Bucks 42-34
6. Detroit Pistons 42-34
7. Orlando Magic 38-40
8. Atlanta Hawks 36-40
9. Miami Heat 35-42
10. Chicago Bulls 34-42
11. e-Toronto Raptors 28-49
12. e-Brooklyn Nets 25-52
13. e-Philadelphia 76ers 23-54
14. e-Charlotte Hornets 19-57
15. e-Washington Wizards 17-60
Western Conference
1. p-Oklahoma City Thunder 64-12
2. p-Houston Rockets 50-27
3. Denver Nuggets 47-30
4. Los Angeles Lakers 46-30
5. Golden State Warriors 45-31
6. Memphis Grizzlies 45-32
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 45-32
8. Los Angeles Clippers 44-32
9. Dallas Mavericks 38-39
10. Sacramento Kings 36-40
11. Phoenix Suns 35-41
12. Portland Trail Blazers 34-43
13. San Antonio Spurs 32-44
14. e-New Orleans Pelicans 21-55
15. e-Utah Jazz 16-61
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins
p-clinched a playoff berth
e-eliminated