By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Making his NBA Preseason 2025 debut, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 16 points over 20 minutes in the first half, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 122-116 victory versus the Charlotte Hornets in Paycom Center on Thursday. Another starter returning to action, German Isaiah Hartenstein, chipped in eight points. Off the bench, Dutch Malevy Leons generated ten points, but French Ousmane Dieng went scoreless with 0/6 field goals. Serbian Nikola Topic and Belgian Ajay Mitchell remained stuck on the injury list. For the visitors, French starter Moussa Diabate registered 14 points, and French reserve Tidjane Salaun finished with four points behind 2/11 from the field.
In Oceanside’s Frontwave Arena, the Los Angeles Clippers dominated the Guangzhou Loong Lions, 142-95. Croatian Ivica Zubac registered 15 points with 7/8 two-pointers and was among the top players in the preseason opener. In reserve roles for the team coached by Tyronn Lue, French Nicolas Batum added five points, and Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser put in two points. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic started but was limited to one assist in just over two minutes due to lower back soreness.
Knicks, Bulls, Bucks
Earlier in Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-95, in overtime. Returning from Abu Dhabi, British O.G. Anunoby started and went for eight points, French imports Pacome Dadiet and Guerschon Yabusele put in five points and four points, British Tosan Evbuomwan added three points, and German Ariel Hukporti had two points, but French Mohamed Diawara did not score, and Ukrainian Alex Len did not play. On the losing side, French Rudy Gobert combined five points with 11 rebounds, and Italian Donte DiVincenzo had three points as starters, while French Joan Beringer came from the bench for two points.
Lithuanian Matas Buzelis tallied 11 points as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 119-112, at United Center. French Noa Essengue chipped in two more points, but Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic was rested, left off the lineup. For the Cavs, French Killian Hayes did not generate a stat over six minutes, and Dutch Tristan Enaruna stayed on the bench.
With Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining sidelined, his brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo threw in four points for the Milwaukee Bucks in a win, 117-111, over the Detroit Pistons in Fiserv Forum. Swedish Bobi Klintman drew eight points and six rebounds for the visitors.