By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a double-double in his NBA Preseason 2025 debut, helping the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Chicago Bulls, 127-121, in United Center.
“On October 22, I’ll be out there dressed, ready to go. So, it doesn’t really matter how I feel. Even if I feel good or bad. What matters is 82 ahead of us. Best ability is availability,” the 30-year-old point forward downplayed his first friendly appearance and focused on preparing for the 2025-26 Regular Season.
The Greek superstar lasted 21:28 in Chicago, tallying 13 points behind 6/10 two-pointers, ten rebounds, and three assists. His brother, Thanasis, stayed on the bench for the team coached by Doc Rivers. For the hosts, Lithuanian Matas Buzelis registered 19 points. Also, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic paired his six points with nine rebounds and three assists, and French Noa Essengue drew five points, three steals, two rebounds, and one assist.
Serbian Nikola Jokic was in Intuit Dome, putting up 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Denver Nuggets in a 102-94 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas threw in ten points and nine rebounds. With Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic out for the hosts, Croatian Ivica Zubac put up an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser had four points, and Nicolas Batum went scoreless.
With the Los Angeles Lakers further delaying the preseason debut of Slovenian Luka Doncic, they beat the Golden State Warriors, 126-116, in crypto.com Arena. German Maxi Kleber and Lithuanian Augustas Marciulionis were out as well. European action was limited to Dutch Quinten Post, recording nine points in a start with the Warriors.
Oliver Sarr spoils debut of younger brother Alex
The Toronto Raptors won at the buzzer, securing a 113-112 victory versus the Washington Wizards in Capital One Arena. A buzzer-beating game-winner by French Olivier Sarr made the difference for the team coached by Serbian Darko Rajakovic, besides spoiling the first appearance of his younger brother Alex Sarr since a calf injury forced a premature end to his EuroBasket 2025 spell with France.
“It was fun,” said the 20-year-old center, commenting on the meeting with his brother, “I’m still not realizing I played against him, but it was fun, like the few minutes we played against each other, just being on the court together, it was just great.”
The winning brother tallied four points, three rebounds, and three assists. Georgian starter Sandro Mamukelashvili went for nine points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, Austrian Jakob Poeltl remained sidelined. On the losing side, Sarr had 12 points, Swiss Kyshawn George combined 11 points with nine rebounds, and Serbian Tristan Vukcevic produced nine points, but French Bilal Coulibaly was out.
Early exit for Jakucionis
German Franz Wagner scored a team-high 17 points, powering the Orlando Magic to a win, 120-104, against the Miami Heat in Kia Center. Fellow German starter, Tristan da Silva, dropped 11 points, French Noah Penda added seven points, and Georgian Goga Bitadze put in two more points. German Moritz Wagner remained sidelined.
Serbian Nikola Jovic, Italian Simone Fontecchio, and Russian Vladislav Goldin were unavailable for head coach Erik Spoelstra, and Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis was forced to an early exit due to right hip soreness. In contrast, Swedish Pelle Larsson started and scored 14 points.
In TD Garden, the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 138-107. European contributions went from Bosnian Luka Garza’s seven points to four points by Spanish Hugo Gonzalez, Portuguese Neemias Queta, and two points by British Amari Williams and Ukrainian Max Shulga.
For the Cavs, French Killian Hayes scored ten points, and Dutch Tristan Enaruna had seven points.
NBA China Games
In Macao’s Venetian Arena, the Brooklyn Nets edged out the Phoenix Suns, 111-109, to earn a split in the NBA China Games 2025. With the league returning to China after six years, the franchises faced each other on Friday and Sunday.
For the team coached by Spanish Jordi Fernandez, Israeli Danny Wolf netted nine points, while Israeli Ben Saraf paired his four points with 11 assists, and French Nolan Traore put in four more points. Russian Egor Demin did not play due to injury.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks were confirmed for the 2026 edition of the China Games.