By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After seven straight wins in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, the Los Angeles Lakers were blown out by the Phoenix Suns, 125-108, in crypto.com Arena.
Slovenian Luka Doncic tallied 20 points in the first quarter and ended up with 38 over 31:33. He shaped a double-double with 11 rebounds and dished out five assists, but also committed nine turnovers in 31:33. “It was my fault. I know I had nine turnovers in the game. In that second quarter, instead of shooting the ball, I feel like I was trying to get involved, but there is no way I should have nine turnovers,” reacted the 26-year-old guard during a postgame press conference.
German reserve Maxi Kleber had five points, three rebounds, and two assists over 10:13 for the Lakers.
Jokic and Giannis
Making 16/31 from beyond the arc, the Dallas Mavericks stunned the Denver Nuggets, 131-121, in Ball Arena on Monday. Serbian Nikola Jokic produced a triple-double with 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists, alongside two blocks and one steal, but his side dropped an early 17-point lead and fell into a double-digit hole down the stretch, after an early exit for Jamal Murray. Playing through a left wrist sprain and lasting 37 minutes, the Joker went for 10/24 from the field. Lithuanian reserve Jonas Valanciunas tallied eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 11 minutes.
“Defense was something we didn’t play a lot in that fourth quarter,” explained 30-year-old Jokic following a fourth straight home loss. “Guys scoring threes, offensive rebounds, probably not where we are supposed to be. We will have a video tomorrow, so we will know probably better, but that’s my opinion.”
In Capital One Arena, Giannis Antetokounmpo went for 26 points for the Milwaukee Bucks in a loss, 129-126, to the Washington Wizards. The 30-year-old Greek point forward fouled out with 5.4 seconds on the clock after his fifth out of a team total of 16 turnovers. Listed as probable with left adductor strain injury management, he logged 31:36, tallying seven rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal, besides making 10/17 field goals and 6/11 free throws. His brothers, Thanasis and Alex, stayed on the bench and on assignment with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd, respectively.
Despite ruling out French Alex Sarr (right adductor soreness), the hosts collected their third season win with fellow French import Bilal Coulibaly pushing the lead to a safe distance of six points after drawing the Freak’s sixth foul. The active French starter ended up with seven points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block over 32:39. Logging nearly 20 minutes, Serbian reserve Tristan Vukcevic chipped in 16 points, two assists, two rebounds, and one steal.