By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With Kyrie Irving (sore left foot) sitting out, Luka Doncic dominated in Capital One Arena on Wednesday.
Pushing his side to a 9-3 start in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season via the 130-117 victory versus the Washington Wizards, the Slovenian superstar posted a 26-point, 10-assist double-double to go with seven rebounds. German teammate Maxi Kleber (dislocated right small toe) stayed on the injury list.
For the losing side, Israeli Deni Avdija had 15 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds. French Bilal Coulibaly went for ten points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block. Italian Danilo Gallinari logged ten points, six rebounds, and one assist.
LeBron’s triple-double falls short of Sabonis and the Kings
The Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 125-110, in Crypto.com Arena, overcoming a triple-double posted by LeBron James. Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis paved the way with 29 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block. Bulgarian Sasha Vezenkov chipped in four points and two steals. Serbian Filip Petrusev did not get on the board in his Kings debut and Ukrainian Alex Len (right ankle) was ruled out.
Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic put up 28 points, but missed a potential game-winning three-pointer as the Atlanta Hawks surrendered, 116-114, to the New York Knicks. Three assists, three rebounds, two steals, and one block complemented his team-high scoring showing. Swiss Clint Capela ended up with eight points, three rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist in a losing effort.
Improving to 6-5 behind the win in State Farm Arena, the Knicks featured German reserve Isaiah Hartenstein with 11 points, four rebounds, and one steal. French Evan Fournier stayed on the bench and German Duane Washington Jr. did not suit up.
Remaining games and European showings
Philadelphia 76ers – Boston Celtics 107-117 (Furkan Korkmaz 0pts, Nicolas Batum INJ – Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 5pts, 1reb, 1stl, Neemias Queta DNP, Kristaps Porzingis INJ)
Toronto Raptors – Milwaukee Bucks 112-128 (Jakob Poeltl 13pts, 11reb, 4stl, 2blk, 1ast, Dennis Schroder 9pts, 5ast, 3reb, 2stl, O.G. Anunoby INJ – Thanasis Antetokounmpo 2pts, 2reb, Giannis Antetokounmpo INJ)
Chicago Bulls – Orlando Magic 94-96 (Nikola Vucevic 17pts, 9reb, 3as, 1blk, Onuralp Bitim DNP – Goga Bitadze 15pts, 11reb, 2ast, 2stl, 1blk, Franz Wagner 13pts, 3ast, 2reb, Moritz Wagner 5pts, 4reb, 1ast, 1stl, Admiral Schofield DNP)
Phoenix Suns – Minnesota Timberwolves 133-115 (Jusuf Nurkic 3pts, 3reb, 4ast – Luka Garza 5pts, 2reb, Rudy Gobert 4pts, 8reb, 2ast, 2blk, 1stl)
Portland Trail Blazers – Cleveland Cavaliers 95-109 (Ricky Rubio OUT – Toumani Camara 3ast, 2stl, 1reb, Rayan Rupert 0pts)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics 9-2
2. Philadelphia 76ers 8-3
3. Indiana Pacers 7-4
4. Miami Heat 7-4
5. Milwaukee Bucks 7-4
6. New York Knicks 6-5
7. Brooklyn Nets 6-5
8. Atlanta Hawks 6-5
9. Orlando Magic 6-5
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-6
11. Toronto Raptors 5-6
12. Chicago Bulls 4-8
13. Charlotte Hornets 3-7
14. Washington Wizards 2-9
15. Detroit Pistons 2-10
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets 9-2
2. Dallas Mavericks 9-3
3. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-3
4. Houston Rockets 6-3
5. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-4
6. Sacramento Kings 6-4
7. Golden State Warriors 6-6
8. Los Angeles Lakers 6-6
9. Phoenix Suns 5-6
10. New Orleans Pelicans 5-6
11. Utah Jazz 4-7
12. Los Angeles Clippers 3-7
13. San Antonio Spurs 3-8
14. Portland Trail Blazers 3-8
15. Memphis Grizzlies 2-9
-Teams ranking first through sixth advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh through tenth compete in the Play-Ins
Photo Credit: Getty Images